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Tag: EGBA

  • Tipico Joins EGBA, Expresses Commitment to High Industry Standards

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    The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) announced the addition of Tipico, one of Germany’s top dogs when it comes to sports betting and iGaming, to its ranks. As the newest member of the association, Tipico has expressed a firm commitment to safeguarding the sector’s integrity and championing the EGBA’s ideals.

    Tipico Wants to Champion Robust Industry Standards

    According to the announcement, the addition of Germany’s leading sports betting and online gambling operator to the EGBA fold reaffirms the association’s position as “the leading voice” of the Old World’s online casino sector. In addition to that, Tipico’s decision to become a part of the EGBA has expanded the latter organization’s presence in one of Europe’s most important gaming markets.

    As mentioned, Tipico’s membership of EGBA showcases the operator’s commitment to protecting the industry’s integrity and championing high standards through industry cooperation. According to the announcement, Tipico will now begin contributing to EGBA’s working groups and to the association’s initiatives, which include promoting responsible advertising, safer gambling, and preventing crime such as money laundering.

    A Welcome Addition to the EGBA Family

    Tipico’s director of public policy, Jocher Weiner, was very pleased to see his company become a part of the European Gaming and Betting Association, hailing the EGBA’s important work and reasserting his team’s unwavering vow to protect players, remain compliant and contribute to the broader sector.

    This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to promoting high industry standards and our fight against the black market for online gambling in Europe.

    Jocher Weiner, director of public policy, Tipico

    Maarten Haijer, EGBA’s secretary general, welcomed Tipico to the EGBA family. He said that his team is delighted to have the company on board just in time for 2026, lauding its membership as a “strong addition.”

    As Germany’s leading online gambling operator with a strong track record, Tipico brings valuable expertise to our association and will reinforce our collective efforts to promote a well-regulated and sustainable gambling sector in Europe.

    Maarten Haijer, secretary general, EGBA

    Haijer concluded that he is looking forward to working closely with Tipico’s team members and ushering in a new era of exemplary and responsible gaming across Europe.

    The EGBA continues to promote best practices across the European gaming sector, urging its members to do more to shield consumers from harm. To that end, the company previously launched a new website dedicated to European Safer Gambling Week, an annual initiative seeking to raise awareness of the risks of gambling, how to play moderately and what safer gambling tools are available to players experiencing struggles.  

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    Angel Hristov

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  • EGBA Praises Legislative Project to Introduce a Licensing Model in Finland

    EGBA Praises Legislative Project to Introduce a Licensing Model in Finland

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    Finland is considering a possible modernization of its online gambling laws. The European country is currently considering a licensing model like the ones used by most modern gambling markets.

    Finland’s intentions were announced by the country’s Ministry of the Interior. The ministry introduced a legislative project that, if advanced, could replace the current monopoly with a licensing system. The move was loudly praised by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), an industry body representing Europe’s top iGaming companies.

    Finland’s legislative project would draft proposals needed to make the transition to a licensing system. As a result, it will cover a number of important aspects, such as what activities will be legalized, what the taxes and fees for operators will be and how Finland will prevent gambling harm.

    According to the EGBA, the Ministry of the Interior’s project will run through December 31, 2025, and will lead to the introduction of a legislative proposal in spring 2025.

    The Move Would Align Finland to Other EU Member States

    For reference, Finland is the only member of the European Union that still sports a monopoly regime for online gambling activities. The system’s deficiencies have become apparent in recent years with customers demanding more varied content and migrating to offshore websites.

    This tendency has caused the country to lose control of the iGaming market and miss out on potential tax money.

    According to the EGBA, the transition to a licensing model would benefit the Finnish market. The association expressed its support for the newly introduced legislative project, saying that it has the potential to increase player protection while boosting tax revenues. At the same time, the move would create a level playing field for operators.

    The EGBA’s secretary general, Maarten Haijer, commented on the matter, saying that it is a “welcome step toward meaningful and overdue gambling reform” in the country. He highlighted the multiple boons a licensing model would bring, noting that it would also align Finland with other EU member states.

    We look forward to continuing dialogue with the Finnish Government and local stakeholders as the regulatory discussions develop.

    Maarten Haijer, secretary general, EGBA

    As Finland considers the introduction of a licensing model, Norway continues its efforts to protect its monopoly systems, proceeding with its DNS blocking plans.

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    Angel Hristov

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  • EGBA sounds alarm as Italy’s online gambling black market surges to $1 billion | Yogonet International

    EGBA sounds alarm as Italy’s online gambling black market surges to $1 billion | Yogonet International

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    The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has expressed deep concerns over the alarming scale of Italy’s online gambling black market. Citing a report by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the association said the country’s black market for online gambling is estimated to be valued at nearly €1 billion ($1.05 billion) per year.

    This sum is equivalent to the total combined regulated online gambling revenue of eight other European Union (EU) countries, according to EGBA. As per the association, the primary factor contributing to this flourishing black market is the country’s ban on gambling advertising, which appears to favor illegal operators, prompting calls for a revision of the existing regulatory framework.

    According to EGBA, Italian gamblers place bets amounting to a staggering €25 billion ($26.47 billion) annually on the black market, with a substantial €18.5 billion ($19.58 billion), or 75% of this total, being spent on unlicensed gambling websites. As a result, EGBA estimates that approximately €1 billion in online gross gaming revenue in Italy is lost to black market operators each year.

    “The significant size of Italy’s online black market is concerning, yet it is not surprising given that Italy has one of Europe’s strictest advertising regimes for its licensed gambling companies. The country’s ban on advertising for licensed gambling operators is clearly favoring the black market, Maarten Haijer, Secretary General, EGBA, said in a statement.

    “Without a sufficient level of advertising, there is no real way for Italians to tell the difference between a gambling website, which is licensed in Italy – and applies the country’s consumer protection rules – and one that is not. It is evident that enforcement action against black market operators is not sufficient, and that the government needs to revise its advertising rules for gambling to ensure Italian citizens can be well-informed about the licensed websites in the country.”

    A notable concern arising from this scenario is that many Italian players are engaging in wagering activities on websites located outside the EU. These offshore platforms may not provide even the most basic level of consumer protection, highlights EGBA, leaving Italian gamblers vulnerable.

    In response to this growing issue, Italy’s Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has taken action by blocking over 9,800 unlicensed gambling websites in the current year alone, marking a significant increase of 400 websites compared to the previous year, EGBA said.

    “The protection of customers is a key priority for EGBA and it stands against gambling websites that target the EU market but operate outside EU law and fail to provide necessary consumer safeguards for Europeans,” EGBA said.

    In light of this, the association said it is imperative that Italian authorities take proactive steps to increase awareness among Italian gamblers regarding the associated risks of using unlicensed platforms situated outside the EU.

    Additionally, the association says measures should be implemented to guide Italian players towards licensed operators that adhere to regulated responsible gambling practices and the country’s established regulatory framework.

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