In recent years, online gambling in Europe has expanded unprecedentedly.
Recent statistics indicate that technological developments, rising internet penetration, and shifting customer tastes will boost the value of the European online gambling business to over €30 billion by 2025.
There has been a huge surge in the number of Europeans participating in online gambling, from sports betting to casino games to poker. Recently, Crypto gambling has consequently been making significant routes.
Various consumers of traditional betting companies have migrated to the Bitcoin betting platform due to the various advantages of betting with digital currency.
Unfortunately, not everyone is already well-versed on the implications of crypto betting law in their own country.
This article will provide a detailed analysis of the current crypto regulation in EU and potential future developments.
The Current Regulatory Framework of Crypto Gambling in Europe
The legality of crypto gaming is treated differently in each European country, including those that are part of the European Union. Most member nations of the European Union permit some type of online betting, while each country is free to set its regulations.
The European Union’s regulatory framework for crypto gambling is complex and evolving. Currently, there is no unified EU-wide regulation specifically tailored to crypto gambling.
Instead, individual member states hold jurisdiction over their gambling regulations. Operators must navigate a patchwork of laws and regulations that vary from country to country.
Generally, operators in the EU must obtain licenses from national regulatory authorities, adhere to anti-money laundering (AML) and customer protection measures, and ensure compliance with taxation requirements.
Some nations, like Malta and Gibraltar, have established themselves as popular hubs for crypto-gambling operators due to their favorable regulatory environments.
However, calls for standardized EU-wide regulations are becoming more prominent as the crypto industry grows.
Challenges and Concerns
According to a poll conducted between 2018 and 2019, the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) identified cross-border online gambling promotion, eSports betting, international regulatory changes, and crypto gambling as the most important challenges for regulators.
Unlicensed gambling, money laundering, fraud, match-fixing, and underage gambling were the top five fields of concern for regulators in the 77% of countries that actively worked to keep criminality out of gambling.
In addition, 86 percent of those surveyed are concerned with problem gambling. In comparison, 45 percent are concerned with gambling addiction, and 66 percent of jurisdictions should contribute to education, treatment, and research related to problem gambling.
The research also noted that the anonymity of the possibility of purchasing Bitcoin using a credit card makes it more difficult to track down the purchasers.
According to the survey’s respondents, the most effective methods for combating illegal gambling include a licensing system, collaborating with national and international regulators, criminal investigation and prosecution, and collaborative efforts between betting regulators and law enforcement.
Regulatory Authorities and Oversight
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) was established to regulate the casino sector. Their primary goal was to ensure that European players could participate in regulated iGaming markets that were safe and entertaining.
The group has influenced gambling laws in Europe from its base in Brussels. The EGBA’s extensive collection of industry standards is meant to supplement the many licensing criteria online gaming firms currently comply with within European countries.
These European industry standards are implemented to accomplish the following goals, all of which are in line with the Responsible Remote Gambling Measures presented by the European Committee for Standardization:
- Protecting the most at-risk players
- Age verification systems for preventing minors from gambling
- Protecting the confidentiality of client information.
- Payments to customers are accurate and made on time.
- Advocating for policies that promote honest and ethical crypto-gambling.
- Stopping the spread of dirty cash
- Maintaining a secure and trustworthy workplace
Across the European Union, more and more nations are instituting licensing arrangements that open the market to several service providers.
Nothing is given preference over anything else under EU law. There is a wide variety of approaches to regulating gambling across the European Union member states.
In a series of rulings, the European Union’s highest court has upheld the constitutionality of national regulatory regimes as long as they adhere to EU law.
Current Operators and Market Trends of Crypto Gambling in Europe
The landscape of crypto gambling operators in the EU is rapidly evolving. Established platforms like Bitcasino, FortuneJack, and 1xBit continue to thrive, offering a wide range of casino games, sports betting, and live dealer options.
However, newer entrants such as Stake and TrueFlip are gaining traction, emphasizing user-friendly interfaces and innovative features.
Market trends highlight the increasing acceptance of cryptocurrencies, with Bitcoin and Ethereum remaining the dominant choices for betting.
Additionally, decentralized applications (DApps) and blockchain-based games are gaining popularity, offering transparency and fairness.
Esports betting is on the rise, attracting a younger demographic, while NFT-based gambling ventures have begun to emerge, showcasing the industry’s adaptability to blockchain technology.
Future Prospects and Potential Changes of Crypto Gambling in Europe
In the last several years, a proliferation of Bitcoin-accepting casinos and sportsbooks has occurred. Almost every Bitcoin casino is improving as new games and functions are added.
Thanks to blockchain technology, the future of crypto gambling represents a new era in gambling. The following tendencies are expected to develop in the years to come:
Metaverse gambling dens
As the Metaverse develops, gamers will become more influential in gambling. Casinos can provide a more immersive gaming experience by letting customers create their virtual worlds.
Non-centralized gambling
Crypto gambling in Europe offers several advantages over centralized gambling because of its decentralized nature.
No one entity is in charge of the funds or the game; rather, they are dispersed among multiple players.
As the corporation becomes more immune to government regulation, profit sharing with customers becomes more feasible.
More command and control
The crypto gambling industry may be bracing for more oversight. As the popularity of crypto gambling increases, governments will take note.
Therefore, there could be an increase in the number of countries in Europe passing legislation to control bitcoin gambling.
If you can get used to it, that is. The public is more inclined to embrace markets that are subject to regulation.
As we have seen with online gambling, regulated marketplaces tend to result in more innovation and better products for customers.
Conclusion
The legal landscape of crypto gambling in the EU varies among member states. While some countries have embraced regulation, others have taken a more cautious approach, leading to a fragmented market.
Striking a balance between regulation and innovation is crucial, as it can protect consumers while fostering industry growth.
The future of crypto gambling in the EU may see increased harmonization of regulations, ensuring a safer and more stable environment, ultimately influencing the global crypto gambling industry.
