Limiting gambling losses is an idea that is increasingly being advocated in European countries. But what exactly are we talking about?
On 2 June 2025, the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), the Dutch gambling regulator, issued an official warning to BetMGM. At issue was an advertisement on a well-known news website featuring 17-year-old football prodigy Lamine Yamal. The campaign breached Dutch legislation prohibiting the use of public figures in gambling advertisements, particularly when targeting vulnerable groups such as minors.
From 16 June 2025, the Dutch Commissariaat voor de Media (CvdM) will be extending its monitoring to a wider range of influencers. Until now, only those with more than 500,000 subscribers were concerned. From now on, any content creator active on YouTube, Instagram or TikTok who has published at least 24 paid videos in the last 12 months and is registered with the Chamber of Commerce will be subject to this enhanced surveillance.
On 29 May 2025, the Raad voor de Kansspelspelers (RvKS), a Dutch organisation representing gamblers, announced its withdrawal from any active participation in the debate on gambling policy in the Netherlands. In an open letter, the RvKS denounces a system that, in its view, fails structurally to bring about meaningful change and to take gamblers’ expertise seriously.
The Swedish Gambling Authority has fined the ruling Social Democratic Party of Sweden (SAP) 3 million Swedish kronor (€275,000). The fine came after an investigation revealed serious violations of consumer protection.
The Irish government has announced that full implementation of the new gambling legislation, set out in the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, will not begin until mid-2026. This decision has raised concerns among public health experts and defenders of the vulnerable, who believe that the delay could exacerbate the problems associated with compulsive gambling.
For several months now, the debate has been raging in the Netherlands over the introduction of common monthly deposit limits for all online gambling operators.While the measure aims to provide better protection for players, it does raise some major concerns. Privacy issues, technical challenges and threats to the channelling of legal gambling are all serious obstacles to its implementation.
State Secretary Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen has stated that privatising the Dutch Lottery is impossible. The planned reforms in the gambling policy would make this plan unfeasible. The government should not sell the Dutch Lottery and then adjust the legislation in a way that undermines the value of the company.
The European Union (EU) is redefining the rules of the game for online gambling operators. Between digital accessibility, algorithmic responsibility and transparency of digital services, the new European directives impose an in-depth overhaul of the industry’s digital practices.
Finland wants to lift the state monopoly on online gambling. From 2027, commercial operators will be allowed to participate under a licence. The law is not yet through, but the plans are ready.
On 19 March 2025, the Bundesverwaltungsgericht (BVerwG), Germany’s highest administrative court, handed down a ruling that redefined the limits of the regulatory authorities’ action against unauthorised online gambling sites.
Starting on 1 July 2025, gambling sponsorship in Dutch football will be over. Large banners, logos on shirts and stadium names will disappear. With this, the Netherlands is taking a step that Belgium already took in 2023.
Online betting provider PointsBet Australia Pty Ltd has been fined AU$500,800 (approximately €285,000) for breaching Australia’s spam and self-exclusion laws.
Japan is about to take a decisive step in its fight against illegal online casinos. Eight political parties, including the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito and the Constitutional Democratic Party, have agreed to submit a bill to ban the operation and promotion of these platforms.
Golden Palace is a familiar name in Belgium. Players know it from the physical gaming halls and the official site GoldenPalace.be. Yet there is also another site with almost the same name that confuses many people.
Richard Dennys, CEO of Game Lounge, speaks out clearly about the current approach to the gambling market. He sees that the policy does not match the behavior of players. Instead of stopping, they opt for illegal sites as soon as the rules become too strict.
The State of New Jersey is considering restricting gambling advertising near schools and universities. The aim of the measure is to limit young people’s exposure to such advertising at a time when online gambling is booming.
