CEN’s national standardisation bodies published a voluntary European standard on gambling harm markers on 31 May, according to the report. EGBA welcomed the standard and said its members would align their player-protection frameworks; it said many already monitor all nine indicators.
Operators can use the voluntary standard’s nine indicators as a common reference for player-protection monitoring.
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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.
Jamma reported on 9 October that Maarten Haijer, previously secretary general of the European Gaming and Betting Association, is director general of the new World Gaming and Betting Alliance. The international association aims to represent regulated gambling businesses in discussions with governments, regulators and multilateral institutions.
Maarten Haijer, formerly secretary general of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), is director general of the World Gaming and Betting Alliance (WGBA), the organisation announced in an official communication. The WGBA is a new international body set up to represent the regulated gambling and betting sector in discussions with governments, regulators and multilateral institutions.