The EGBA unveils its 2026 annual report  

The EGBA has published its 2026 annual report. The document covers twelve months marked by the adoption of the first European standard on indicators of problem gambling, stricter advertising rules, the expansion of player protection measures and the growth of its members’ activities.   

A decisive year for online gambling regulation  

The EGBA’s 2026 annual report highlights a year of transformation for the online gambling sector. Against a backdrop of market growth, new protection standards and evolving regulatory frameworks, the organisation presents a review marked by several major changes at European level.  

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the EGBA:  

“This year marked a turning point for the EGBA in several respects: the most impactful European Week for Responsible Gaming to date, the adoption of the first European standard on harm indicators, new standards relating to influencer marketing, as well as continued progress on our anti-money laundering guidelines.”  

A growing market, but figures to be interpreted with caution 

In 2025, the association’s nine member operators recorded a combined gross online gaming revenue of 18 billion euros across the European Union and the United Kingdom. This figure represents a 34 per cent increase on the 13.5 billion euros reported for 2024. However, this growth cannot be attributed solely to an increase in activity by operators already operating in the market. The association points out that a significant proportion of the increase stems from the expansion of its membership.   

Stakes also rose sharply. Their number reached 248.7 billion in 2025, representing a 40 per cent year-on-year increase. Their total value, including premiums, stood at 275.3 billion euros, up by 28 per cent. At the same time, the average amount per bet fell. It dropped from 1.21 euros in 2024 to 1.11 euros in 2025, a decline of 9 per cent. According to the association, this development reflects a trend towards more frequent bets, but of lower value.  

Winnings paid out to customers totalled 257.3 billion euros. This figure is calculated by subtracting the gross gaming revenue – 18 billion euros – from the total value of bets. The aggregate return rate to players stood at 93.4 per cent, compared with 93.7 per cent in 2024.  

Sports betting saw the strongest growth 

Online casino games and sports betting together accounted for 94 per cent of members’ gross gaming revenue in 2025. Casino games took the top spot with 48 per cent, compared with 46 per cent for sports betting. 

Revenue from sports betting rose by 49 per cent to reach 8.2 billion euros. Casino revenue rose by 23 per cent to €8.6 billion. Poker accounted for 3 per cent of the total and remained broadly stable. Other products, including bingo, virtual betting, video game competitions and event betting, totalled €0.7 billion, up 40 per cent.  

In sports betting, stakes placed before the start of matches accounted for 63 per cent of revenue, compared with 37 per cent for in-play betting. This breakdown remained unchanged from the previous year.  

A broader membership  

Tipico has joined the organisation as its ninth full member operator. The company notably strengthens the association’s presence in Germany and Central Europe.  

The payment technology company Yaspa became an associate member in July 2025. It specialises in open banking payments and customer verification.  

Three new members have also joined the secretariat: Pierre Tournier as Senior Director, Irina Kubinschi as Senior Head of European Affairs and Zeïneb Haouachi as Head of European Affairs. 

Member operators collectively held 401 online gambling licences across 22 European territories, compared with 321 in 2024. This 25 per cent increase reflects both the expansion of the association and changes to licensing requirements in certain markets.  

A first European standard to identify risky behaviour  

One of the year’s key events was the approval of the European standard EN 18144, described as the first continental standard dedicated to identifying signs of harm in online gambling. The initiative had been launched by the association in 2022. The vote by members of the European Committee for Standardisation was concluded in September 2025, with a large majority in favour. The official standard was then published in May 2026.  

Its aim is to help operators recognise, in a more consistent manner, behaviours that may indicate problematic gambling. Nine key indicators have been identified: betting volume, pace of play, deposit patterns, cancelled withdrawals, player-initiated contact, time spent gambling, products used, use of safety tools and level of losses. 

This standard is voluntary. It does not replace national legislation or the obligations imposed by regulatory authorities. It does, however, provide a common framework for companies that still apply methods varying by country and internal systems. Its actual effectiveness will, however, depend on how companies incorporate the indicators, interpret the signals and adapt their interactions with customers.  

Player protection is gaining visibility  

The fifth European Safer Gambling Week, held from 17 to 23 November 2025, saw record participation. The initiative brought together 221 partners across 24 countries, a 14 per cent increase on 2024.  

The social media campaign reached 4.1 million people, representing a 32 per cent increase. Twenty-three events attracted a total of 4,000 registrations and brought together 120 speakers. Seven national regulatory authorities also took part in the initiatives.  

For the first time, messages focusing on prevention were displayed during live-broadcast football matches. Light-up billboards were used in Bulgaria, Germany, Greece and Italy. This presence in stadiums made it possible to reach a different audience to that of campaigns run exclusively online. 

“The 2025 edition has been the largest and most influential to date,” said Barry Magee, the association’s communications director.   

The campaign was accompanied by the launch of a new European information website. This platform brings together support contact details, country-specific self-exclusion options, practical advice and information on the early signs of losing control.  

Increased use of safety tools  

The annual activity report also includes findings published in the association’s 2025 sustainability report, covering its members’ activities in 2024.  

According to this data, 26.7 million customers – 69 per cent of the total – had activated at least one safety tool on their account. This figure represents a 28 per cent increase compared with 2023. Half of the users concerned are said to have chosen these tools of their own accord.  

Member operators sent 100 million messages designed to encourage safer behaviour, representing a year-on-year increase of 48 per cent. Of these, 27.9 million were personalised according to the individual player’s behaviour.  

The association states that personalised messages had a positive effect on 42–46 per cent of customers exhibiting behaviour considered to be high-risk. Between 35 and 40 per cent are reported to have reduced their activity, whilst 6–7 per cent are reported to have stabilised their behaviour. 

In addition, more than 51,000 employees – representing 83 per cent of members’ workforce – have received training focused on prevention.  

Influencers subject to new requirements  

Advertising was another major area of focus. In October 2025, the association and the European Advertising Standards Alliance launched a commitment focusing on the marketing of gambling via influencers.  

The scheme requires members to strengthen age verification procedures, clearly disclose paid partnerships and avoid content likely to appeal particularly to minors. Operators also undertake to work exclusively with influencers who comply with the rules on responsible advertising.  

A mechanism for independent monitoring and the removal of non-compliant content is in place. The code has been presented to the European Commission as an example of self-regulation within the sector.  

“Influencer marketing is one of the fastest-growing advertising channels and it entails real responsibilities,” said Maarten Haijer.   

The fight against money laundering enters a new phase 

Members have completed their second annual reporting exercise under the sectoral recommendations on anti-money laundering. This assessment is intended to identify areas requiring updating and to prepare for the implementation of the new European regulation.  

The establishment of the European Anti-Money Laundering Authority, which began operations in Frankfurt on 1 July 2025, has fundamentally altered the supervisory framework. The association has taken part in several consultations on sanctions, customer due diligence and the identification of business relationships or related transactions.  

It advocates a proportionate and risk-based approach, taking into account the specific characteristics of online gambling.  

Finland ends the EU’s last exclusive monopoly  

The most symbolic political development concerns Finland. In January 2026, President Alexander Stubb approved a law ending the national monopoly on online gambling. The bill had received the support of 95 per cent of Finnish MPs.  

The new multi-licence system is due to come into force on 1 July 2027. Finland will thus become the last country in the European Union to adopt a form of regulated competition for online gambling. 

The association has been advocating for this change for several years. It believes that markets open to multiple authorised operators offer better consumer protection and divert demand away from illegal sites.  

Maarten Haijer sees this reform as confirmation of a long-held position: “Public policy objectives, in particular consumer protection, are best achieved through well-regulated online competition based on multiple licences.”  

A legal victory against the Netherlands  

In October 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union dismissed the Netherlands’ appeal in a state aid case that had been ongoing for nearly ten years.  

The dispute centred on the extension, in 2014, of certain Dutch licences without an open and competitive procedure. The association had lodged a complaint with the European Commission in 2016.  

The ruling confirms the Commission’s obligation to conduct a full formal investigation to determine whether these extensions constituted illegal state aid. For the association, this ruling upholds the principle of transparent, open award procedures that comply with European law.  

A pivotal year, but persistent challenges 

The 2026 report describes an association that is more influential, has a larger membership and is involved in a growing number of European debates. Its priorities now extend beyond the regulation of gambling alone: the protection of minors, digital fraud, advertising, payments, money laundering and the functioning of the internal market are at the heart of its agenda.  

“It has been a landmark year in many respects,” summarises Maarten Haijer.