The Swedish government is taking a further step in its fight against gambling addiction and over-indebtedness: a bill has just been submitted to ban the use of credit in gambling.
The municipality of Zandvoort has bought the former casino building of Holland Casino at the Badhuisplein for more than 8,7 million euros.
Italy is looking to take a decisive step forward in the regulation of its online gambling market. After years of the status quo and battles against the black market, the Italian government has adopted an ambitious reform aimed at radically transforming a sector that is as lucrative as it is controversial.
Belgium has tightened its gambling legislation in 2023 and 2024, hoping to curb young people’s access to betting and gambling. An almost total ban on advertising and an increase in the minimum age to 21 are strong measures. But are they really having an impact? The 2025 survey reveals some initial effects… but also some limitations.
Since the introduction of the Cruks register (Centraal Register Uitsluiting Kansspelen) in the Netherlands, a worrying trend has emerged: a growing number of Dutch Internet users are actively seeking out ‘bookmakers zonder Cruks’ (bookmakers without Cruks) to continue betting despite their voluntary registration on this self-excluding register.
In Belgium, before donning your best outfit for a casino evening or clicking on an online game, you have to wait until you have blown out 21 candles. While this choice may seem arbitrary to some, it is in fact part of a carefully considered approach aimed at protecting young people and regulating the world of gambling. Let’s take a look behind the scenes.
According to the DataSynergy survey, almost 40% of young Belgians aged 18 to 20 have already taken part in gambling or sports betting. Online betting, in particular, appeals to a young audience, often via unlicensed applications and sites.
On 12 June, a rare moment took place in the corridors of the addiction and psychiatry department at Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital in Paris. Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, Chairwoman of the French National Gaming Authority (ANJ), paid a visit. A visit that goes beyond mere protocol.
This story is not new, but it illustrates the luck of some players on this Friday the 13th. Amelia Barnham, a 69-year-old grandmother from London, found herself at the centre of a bizarre scenario: after winning more than £23,000 in accumulated lottery winnings, she was unable to collect her final prize of £800.
A Dutch woman has won a court case against online casino BetCity. She will still be paid the jackpot of over €172,000. The casino had previously refused to transfer the amount.
The United Kingdom could standardise its tax regime on online gambling, bringing the tax on sports betting (15%) into line with that on remote gaming (21%). The intention? To simplify administration. But for the Betting & Gaming Council (BGC), this measure conceals a threat: driving regular gamblers towards unauthorised sites.
In a firm move designed to protect its regulated market, Sweden has taken the decision to permanently ban Satoshi Gaming Group NV from operating in the country. The announcement was made by Spelinspektionen, the Swedish gaming regulator, in a statement highlighting repeated breaches of the legal framework.
At the heart of a dubious advertising campaign aimed at seducing gamblers, actor Jean-Claude Van Damme has seen his face used without authorisation in an advert promoting an illegal online casino.
In Germany, the regulation of online gambling is struggling to contain the growth of the black market. According to the 2023 report by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), illegal financial flows account for between 2% and 4% of gross gaming sales (GGR), or €400-600 million. But statistics shared at Gaming in Holland 2025 show that 80% of revenues go to illegal operators.
In Belgium, illegal gambling platforms are growing in popularity, a worrying development that is causing concern among players in the sector. The Gaming Commission (GC) has confirmed the fears expressed for some time by the Belgian Association of Gaming Operators (BAGO): spontaneous visits to these unregulated sites are rising steadily.
The Dutch Gambling Regulatory Authority (KSA) has unveiled its ‘Regulator 2.0’ vision, promising greater cooperation with operators to combat the black market. However, it warns that persistent breaches of advertising rules could lead to a total ban on gambling ads.
In Digne-les-Bains, the laying of the foundation stone for the future Golden Palace casino marks the beginning of an ambitious project combining entertainment, economic momentum, and sustainable development. Scheduled to open by the end of 2026, this new venue promises much more than a traditional gaming space.
