Poland calls on EU to unite against black gambling market
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11 Jan 2025 •
Reading time: 2 minutes Poland, currently president of the Council of the European Union, has an ambitious plan: to unite the European Union in the fight against illegal gambling with a coherent strategy. An initiative that is generating interest and debate across the continent.
Huge tax loss for the EU
According to estimates, the European Union loses almost €7.2 billion per year due to illegal gambling. This revenue, which escapes the member states, could finance essential public services. For Poland, these losses are no longer tolerable.
“Illegal gambling operations threaten the economy, but also the safety of vulnerable players. It is time for coordinated action,” a Polish representative told Bloomberg.
A coordinated approach proposed by Poland
Poland is advocating the creation of a task force within the European Commission. This group, composed of national experts, would be tasked with harmonizing regulations and law enforcement practices between member states.
This initiative is supported by the European Gaming and Betting Association. The organization has been campaigning for years for increased cross-border collaboration. According to the association, such harmonization is essential to effectively counter illegal gambling sites that operate without borders.
The Polish project includes a technological component. It highlights the use of artificial intelligence to identify and neutralize illegal websites. This approach complements regional initiatives such as the data sharing agreement between Liechtenstein and Switzerland. This agreement ensures that individuals banned from casinos in one country are also banned from the other, for both physical and virtual casinos.
Black Market Challenges
Despite robust regulatory frameworks, several EU countries are still struggling with illegal gambling. Belgium, for example, is facing a proliferation of these activities. According to the latest BAGO study, almost half of young men aged 18 to 21 gamble on illegal gambling platforms. In France, the Netherlands and Germany, similar problems persist, highlighting the need for a European response and measures.
The European Casino Association Manifesto
The European Casino Association (ECA) has also issued a call to action through its manifesto. The document asks the European Union to adopt concrete measures against illegal gambling. The ECA proposes strategies such as:
- Blocking payments to illegal sites.
- Raising awareness among players about the risks of illegal gambling.
- Closer cooperation with Internet Service Providers to shut down non-compliant platforms.
“Illegal gambling deprives Member States of essential revenues and endangers player safety. A collective response is essential”
Per Jaldung, President of the ECA
This offensive against illegal gambling goes beyond simple tax issues. It targets a black market that exploits consumers and undermines regulatory efforts. Led by Poland and organisations like the EGBA and the ECA, the European Union may soon have more powerful tools to counter this phenomenon.