The legislation surrounding online casinos in Europe is constantly evolving. With the growing popularity of online gambling, several countries have tightened their restrictions, while others have opened up the market with licensing schemes and better consumer protection. Here’s an overview of the latest in legislation and what it means for both players and the industry.
Stricter requirements in Germany
One of the most talked about examples is Germany, which has recently introduced its new gambling agreement – GlüNeuRStV. This provides government regulation for online casinos, but with strict restrictions. Among other things, they have introduced maximum bets on machines, game breaks and a central database to prevent overspending. For the players, this means more security, but also fewer choices.
The licensing model in the Netherlands and Sweden
The Netherlands opened its regulated market in 2021, and has already started adjusting licensing rules to tighten advertising and protect vulnerable groups. Sweden, which has had a licensing model since 2019, has also tightened the rules around bonuses and marketing. The goal is to keep players within a safe framework and ensure that gambling is run responsibly.
Spain & Italy – focus on advertising
In southern Europe, advertising in particular is under the microscope. In Spain, marketing for gambling is almost banned outside of night, and in Italy, there has been a total ban on gambling advertising since 2019. Despite this, online casinos are still popular – but operators need to find creative ways to reach players, without breaking the rules.
Norway – still monopoly?
Norway is still one of the few European countries that maintains a state monopoly through Norsk Tipping. At the same time, many Norwegians play on foreign sites. There has been talk of introducing a licensing model, as in Sweden, but as of 2025 it is still unclear whether this will become a reality. The discussion about control versus freedom of choice continues.
Developments show that Europe is moving towards more regulation, but with different solutions in each country. For players, this means that it is important to be up to date on the rules where you live – and to choose safe and licensed operators when playing at online casinos
