There is no explicit European Union legislation governing gaming services. It is up to European nations to organize their betting services, and it has always been this way. This since earlier as they follow the laws imposed by the EU Court of Justice. In this instance, the capacity to provide services or establish a firm in other European countries is very significant. The majority of European countries permit some type of internet gambling. Some countries allow all forms of gameplay, while others only allow specific kinds, such as betting, poker, or casino gameplay. Monopoly regimes for online gambling activities have emerged in numerous European countries, but they appear to be waning as Hungary considers allowing private gaming enterprises to seek a license there.
Let us look closely at the European gaming markets and how they’ve evolved over time.
United Kingdom
Back in 2005, the UK was one of the initial nations in Europe to issue remote gambling licenses. This was to target offshore gambling websites that did not pay taxes in the nations where they functioned. Since then, it has grown to become Europe’s largest competitive marketplace, with numerous online sportsbooks and casino sites. Over the years nations has earned substantial revenue from this industry, around £6 billion in 2020.
Italy
The nations gross gaming revenue in 2021 was highest in the month of April i.e. over €160 million. Betting in Italy has a long history, dating back to the Roman Empire. It’s no surprise, then, that Italians adore betting on sports and casino games. The Italian government, on the other hand, enacted a betting advertising ban known as the Dignity Decree in 2018.
Also, the Italy’s gambling industry benefited greatly from funds spent by players on casino games, poker cash, and poker tournaments.
Germany
By 2024, German gaming revenue is expected to hit 3.3 billion euros. The country’s chiefs of state convened in early 2020 and imbibed gambling rules that would enable both betting websites and online poker. As a result of the new legislation, online casino companies can now offer games like poker, slot gameplay, and sports betting to German players. However, different games are permitted in different regions of Germany due to varying rules. With a populace of over 80 million inhabitants, Germany would be Europe’s largest market, but the wagering restrictions are stringent in comparison to Italy and the United Kingdom.
Spain
In 2019, total gambling revenue in Spain was €8.9 billion.As per the estimates, Spanish gamers invest more than 1.9 billion euros every year on Codere-owned brands solely.
Lotteries, football, horse racing, bingo, video slots, and their favorite online casinos are all popular with Spanish gamblers.
France
This is a relatively gambling-friendly country in comparison to other European nations. In this country, all kinds of gaming are regulated and deemed legal. Indeed, land-based gambling establishments offer legalized poker games, slot machines, sportsbooks, and horse racing wagering. Except for casino games, online suppliers can provide all of these forms of gambling.
The French government owns two gambling monopolies, the FDJ and PMU, which are two of the major gambling companies in France.
