The EU is preparing a new tax on online gambling
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17 Apr 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes
An idea is gaining ground in the budget discussions for the 2028–2034 period: introducing a European levy on online gambling. But this proposal is already attracting fierce criticism, particularly from the EGBA, which sees it as a major risk to consumers and public finances.
A new European tax
On 15 April 2026, the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets adopted a position on the future multiannual financial framework, which is set to govern the Union’s expenditure between 2028 and 2034. In this document, MEPs outline several avenues for new own resources to fund the European budget. Among these is the idea of a levy on online gambling activities at EU level.
National rules that complicate harmonisation
Unlike other economic sectors, gambling is not harmonised at European level. Each Member State has its own regulations, licences and tax systems.
This means that there is currently no common legal basis enabling the European Union to define, collect or administer a levy on this sector. A shortcoming that the EGBA clearly highlights.
Maarten Haijer, the organisation’s secretary-general:
“Gambling is not currently harmonised at European level, and there is no legal basis for defining, administering or collecting such a levy.”
Furthermore, in some Member States, licensed online gambling operators are already subject to tax rates exceeding 50% of their gross gaming revenue. The introduction of a European levy would be on top of an already heavy national tax burden. For industry stakeholders, this raises immediate concerns about the economic viability of regulated operators.
A risk of a shift towards unregulated operators
One of the key arguments put forward by the EGBA concerns the potential impact of such a levy on the black market. According to the organisation, illegal operators could be the main beneficiaries of this measure. They already evade all taxation and regulation. They can therefore offer more attractive deals, with potentially higher winnings or more flexible terms.
Maarten Haijer:
“Illegal operators, who pay no tax, can already offer more attractive products and prices without the safeguards of consumer protection.”
Beyond economic competition, it is consumer protection that is at stake. Licensed operators are subject to strict obligations: anti-money laundering measures, responsible advertising, and player protection measures. Illegal operators, on the other hand, are not bound by these rules.
The EGBA therefore fears that by making legal operators less competitive, a European levy could encourage some players to turn to unregulated platforms.
A decision requiring unanimity
Institutionally speaking, the road to such a levy is still a long one. Any new own resource for the European Union must be approved unanimously by the 27 Member States within the Council.
The political process is still in its early stages. The European Parliament is due to vote in plenary at the end of April 2026 on the opinion of the Committee on Budgets. Formal negotiations on the multiannual financial framework will then begin. These are expected to continue until the end of 2026.