The European Casino Association on the offensive against illegal gambling
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3 Jan 2025 •
Reading time: 3 minutes The European Casino Association (ECA) has just published an ambitious manifesto for the 2025-2029 policy cycle of the European Union. Entitled “Winning Together: A Pledge to Fight Crime, Protect Consumers, and Support EU Competitiveness”, this document aims to mobilize the European institutions in the face of the explosion of illegal gambling, a scourge that costs Member States dearly and jeopardizes the safety of players.
With 700 casinos spread across 29 countries and employing 70,000 people, the regulated casino sector is a major economic driver. In addition to contributing to GDP, it supports local communities by creating jobs and financing social projects.
However, legal casinos are facing increasing challenges. Restrictive banking practices, often driven by “de-risking” policies, make it difficult for them to access essential financial services. Meanwhile, illegal operators thrive through unregulated channels, such as cryptocurrencies.
Worrying parallel market
According to a study conducted by Yield Sec, illegal operators accounted for around 70% of online gambling revenues in 2024, or €32 billion. This is compounded by an additional €10 billion from unlicensed land-based gambling. These alarming figures translate into a loss of over €10 billion in tax revenue for European governments each year.
Erwin van Lambaart, President of the ECA, said:
“This manifesto reflects our commitment to supporting the EU and Member States’ efforts to maintain a regulated and responsible land-based casino sector. We call on policy makers to work with us to safeguard the integrity of the gaming sector against illegal operators while promoting economic growth and protecting consumers.”
Protecting players and fighting crime
The manifesto stresses the need to ensure a safe environment for players. Illegal operators often evade identity checks, anti-money laundering checks and measures to prevent risky behaviour. This exposes consumers to abusive practices, while undermining the regulation put in place by Member States.
To address this situation, the ECA calls for:
- A strict application of the Digital Services Act (DSA) to prohibit illegal advertising.
- A stronger role for Europol in dismantling clandestine networks.
- Working with national regulators to block unauthorised sites.
A call for action by the European Union
The ECA calls on the European institutions to act quickly by implementing three priorities:
- Supporting Member States in the fight against illegal gambling.
- Protecting consumers with strict rules and prevention tools.
- Promoting a fair framework to ensure the competitiveness of legal operators.
Finally, the manifesto calls for maintaining the classification of land-based casinos as medium risk in the EU’s anti-money laundering assessment. This recognition is essential to avoid disproportionate regulations that would penalise legal players.
Towards enhanced cooperation
Through this manifesto, the ECA offers a clear roadmap to strengthen security, support the economy and preserve regulated gaming in Europe. The stakes are high: protecting the 70,000 jobs in the sector while guaranteeing players a safe and responsible experience.
The future of legal gaming in Europe will depend on the ability of policymakers to address these challenges. As the European Union enters a new cycle, the question arises: will the institutions answer the ECA’s call?