The European Gaming and Betting Association has called on the remaining European gambling jurisdictions with either partial monopolies or product prohibitions to move to a multi-licensing system.
EGBA secretary general Maarten Haijer said 15 years of regulatory experience shows multi-licensing systems offer “the best pathway to enhance consumer protection, increase tax revenues and ensure stronger regulatory control.”
In comments published alongside EGBA research which reveals that Europe is “well on its way” towards full multi-licensing for online gambling, Haijer said the jurisdictions still without such models should strive for “greater consistency and effectiveness in their policies" by making the switch.
Haijer said discussions regarding the future of the online monopoly in Norway and Iceland are “inevitable,” while the EGBA’s research also pointed to Slovenia and Switzerland’s respective monopolies for online sports betting and the monopolies for online casino gaming and poker in Austria and Poland.
Following on from previous EGBA rhetoric over the impact the black market is having in France, the EGBA noted France still prohibits online casino.
“The time has come for the last remaining European countries to embrace this optimal form of online regulation,” Haijer said.
The EGBA’s research reveals that 27 of 31 European countries have adopted some form of multi-licensing, “indicating a robust trend towards open, competitive markets.”
Finland is among the four countries that do not have multi-licensing, although the market is transitioning to a multi-licensing model by 2026.
Iceland and Norway maintain exclusive rights models while Luxembourg lacks dedicated regulations for online gambling, the EGBA noted.
Haijer said: “The momentum towards full multi-licensing for online gambling in Europe is undeniable.
“While a few exceptions still exist, governments are concluding that public policy objectives, particularly related to consumer protection and tax generation, are more effectively met through well-regulated online competition.
“Finland's current transition towards multi-licensing signals the impending end of the last online gambling monopoly in the EU, marking a significant regulatory milestone."
