Major Shift in European Online Gambling: A Move Towards Multi-Licensing

Europe’s Regulatory Evolution

Fifteen years ago, the landscape of online gambling in Europe was markedly different. Most countries either lacked dedicated regulations or operated under models granting exclusive rights to state-owned entities.

Fast forward to today, only four countries—Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Luxembourg—deviate from the multi-licensing model, with the latter lacking dedicated regulations entirely.

Current State of Multi-Licensing in Europe

The shift towards multi-licensing is not partial but comprehensive, with 23 of the 27 adopting countries implementing a full multi-licensing model for all regulated online gambling products. This includes major markets like Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Malta, and the UK, which were among the early adopters of this regulatory framework.

Slovenia and Switzerland, on the other hand, maintain a monopoly for online sports betting, whereas Austria and Poland reserve monopolies for online casino gaming and poker but allow multi-licensing for other gambling products. Cyprus and France impose product-specific prohibitions, but otherwise embrace multi-licensing for all other regulated online gambling products.

Legislative Reforms and Future Trends

Finland is notably undergoing legislative reforms with plans to establish a multi-licensing framework by 2026, signaling the potential end of the last online gambling monopoly in the EU. This aligns with broader European trends, where there is growing recognition that public policy objectives—such as consumer protection and tax generation—are more effectively met through regulated online competition.

“The momentum towards full multi-licensing for online gambling in Europe is undeniable,” reports the EGBA. Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the EGBA, comments, “With over 15 years of regulatory experience in Europe, it’s clear that full multi-licensing offers the best pathway to enhance consumer protection, increase tax revenues, and ensure stronger regulatory control.”