The NCAA, the historical guardian of the integrity of student competitions, is now considering relaxing its rules to allow student-athletes to bet on professional sports.
While Svenska Spel, the incumbent public operator, is calling for tougher rules to provide a better framework for the sector, BOS, the association representing private players, is denouncing a move that could undermine the legal market and give the State monopoly an advantage.
While the European online gambling market is experiencing sustained growth, regulatory fragmentation between Member States is a growing concern for industry players. Maarten Haijer has made a clear appeal: it is time for Europe to harmonise its rules to better protect players and limit the expansion of the black market.
Spain is getting tough on gambling addiction. The government has just imposed explicit warnings, inspired by those used on cigarette packets, to alert gamblers to the real risks associated with online betting and casinos.
The recent announcement that the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has adopted the first indicators of risky gambling behaviour marks a major step forward in player protection and has been welcomed by BAGO, the Belgian association of online gambling operators.
The European Union has just approved a groundbreaking standard aimed at detecting risky gambling behaviour. Led by the EGBA and CEN, this initiative marks a major turning point for player protection and the harmonisation of practices across Europe.
In the midst of a spring 2025 marked by promises of reform, Sweden is preparing to make sweeping changes to its legislation on online gambling. The proposed amendment aims to close the loopholes in the current regime, particularly those that allow unauthorised operators to reach Swedish players.
Bet365 thought it was being clever by sending the same email to everyone. But that included young people aged 18 to 24. And that is really not allowed.
In the Netherlands, the world of sport is about to turn a decisive page. The gambling authority, the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), has issued a clear ultimatum: by 6 October 2025, no club, influencer or platform will be allowed to display any sponsor linked to casinos or online betting.
In the United Kingdom, a simple promotional voucher was enough to put William Hill in the regulators’ crosshairs. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that a voucher offering £5 worth of gambling exerted undue pressure on players by imposing too short a time limit to take advantage of it.
The Advertising Code Committee in the Netherlands has rejected CasinoZorgplicht’s complaint against gambling advertisements from online casino 711. According to the commission, the expressions were meant to be humorous and absurdist, and therefore did not violate the rules.
The challenges associated with money laundering are now entering new territory: Web3 and digital gaming. After tightening controls on traditional gaming establishments, the French authorities are now turning their attention to games involving monetisable digital items (JONUM). The National Gaming Authority (ANJ), the Treasury Department and Tracfin have launched a joint initiative to prepare this emerging sector for the application of anti-money laundering measures.
On 11 November 2025, Berlin will become the rallying point for major players in iGaming: regulators, lawyers, operators and experts will gather at the Gaming in Germany Conference to discuss the regulatory framework for online gambling in Germany and the challenges posed by the black market.
While the Netherlands wanted to build a safe and transparent online gambling market, the reality is quite different. Successive restrictions, the departure of operators and the growing threat of the illegal market: regulation, which is supposed to protect players, could well weaken the entire ecosystem.
Online gambling is experiencing rapid growth in Europe, but with it comes an increased risk of problematic behaviour. For the first time, the European Union is preparing to vote on a common standard to better detect and prevent addiction-related abuses. Behind this initiative led by the EGBA lies the future of responsible gambling.
