The European Committee for Standardisation has published EN 18144, a voluntary standard for identifying gambling-related harm markers across Europe. It sets out nine behavioural indicators for operators to monitor, while allowing for differences where markers conflict with national law.
Operators can use the voluntary guidance to assess player behaviour, subject to each market’s legal framework.
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The European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets called on member states to consider an EU-level tax on online gambling in its opinion on the 2028–2034 financial framework. EGBA opposed the idea, saying the sector is not harmonised and that the vote is a preliminary, conditional call rather than a formal proposal; it also said new EU own resources would require unanimous approval by all 27 member states.
The EGBA warned that a proposed EU-wide online gambling levy could benefit unlicensed operators and reduce Member State tax income. The European Parliament’s Budget Committee included the idea in its opinion on the 2028–2034 budget, but the EGBA said the committee vote was not a formal proposal or decision.
The European Gaming and Betting Association said a possible EU online gambling tax in the 2028–2034 budget framework could benefit illegal operators. The European Parliament's Budget Committee vote referred to considering the idea, not adopting a tax; a final decision on new EU own resources would require unanimous approval by the 27 member states. Parliament was expected to vote on the opinion in late April.
The European Parliament's Budget Committee proposed considering an EU-wide online gambling levy in an opinion vote on the 2028–2034 long-term budget, according to the report. The vote was tentative, and the proposal would require unanimous approval from all 27 member states. The EGBA argued that an additional levy could disadvantage licensed operators and benefit illegal operators; a parliamentary vote on the committee opinion was expected later in April.
The World Gaming and Betting Alliance has selected former European Gaming and Betting Association secretary general Maarten Haijer to lead the new global gambling body as director general. The organisation is due to hold its formal launch in Geneva in November, alongside publication of its first report; Bet365, Entain, Flutter Entertainment and FDJ United are listed as members.