SBC News

Likely to no one’s surprise, igaming in Europe has grown – with €13.5bn to be exact, according to the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA).

The latest activity report from the trade association highlighted that casino games have represented 51% of combined online gross gaming revenue for 2024, which itself rose 15% year-over-year – and that’s just from EGBA members.

Meanwhile, the total number of online stakes was up 31% YoY, reaching 177.7bn (2023: 135.7bn), bringing in a value of €215.6bn, or 11% more YoY (2023: €194.4bn).

It is worth noting that the higher rates mentioned above can be attributed to EGBA’s expansion with the addition of Superbet Group and LeoVegas Group as members throughout 2024.

Spread across product GGR, casino games held the highest share of revenue generation among members at €7bn (51% of total GGR), followed by sports betting at €5.5bn (41%).

GGR from casino games were up 21% YoY, while sports betting revenue saw an increase of 15% compared to..

Gamblers in Bulgaria will now have to self-exclude for a minimum of one year instead of 30 days after a change in regulations.

This was announced on the website of the regulator, the Bulgarian National Revenue Agency (NRA), which confirmed that the new rules have been in place since 27 March.

The increase in minimum self-eclusion from 30 days to 365 is certainly a substantial one, and policymakers likely hope that it will have significant player protection impacts. However, the self-exclusion process is far from the most convenient options seen across Europe.

Those who suspect they are suffering from a gambling disorder have two options through which to seek self-exclusion – either emailing the NRA with a written request, or go to an NRA office to physically submit this request into a kiosk.

In both instances, the request must include all personal information associated with the self-excluded customer, including an electronic signature. To cover one year, this signature could cost..

Visiting Bacta’s SR Exchange conference, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) highlighted some areas where Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) seem to be lagging.

Bryony Sheldon/LinkedIn
The regulator’s Director of Policy, Bryony Sheldon, addressed the fully-booked Bacta Social Responsibility Exchange venue in Leeds by opening up with an overview of the AGC shortcomings that the UKGC witnessed in 2024.

AGC on-site compliance
UK-wide venue visits and head office assessments conducted by the regulator last year revealed that AGCs have generally adopted responsible practices to prevent underage gambling on-site.

When it comes to adult customer interactions however, a number of staff members across multiple different venues were observed by the UKGC only to be concluded that some were not fully aware as to why customer interactions were being conducted.

Sheldon reminded shareholders present at the conference that knowledge is a key criteria in the education of staff. She said that every employee..

Italy’s Council of State has chosen to defer a ruling on a legal dispute related to gambling advertising to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

The deferment by Italy’s supreme administrative court follows its own determination, which “has raised doubts” on how European laws, standards and practices can be interpreted by the legislative framework of Italy’s Dignity Decree of 2018.

As such the Council of State has chosen for the legal dispute to be settled by the judgement of the ECJ. The discrepancies of the Dignity Decree of 2018, which has imposed a federal ban on betting/gambling advertising and sponsorships in Italy since 2019,, have come under scrutiny once more.

The dispute concerns LeoVegas AB challenge of a €50,000 fine imposed by the AGCOM, Italy’s Communications and Media Authority in 2019 for violating the Dignity Decree.

LeoVegas AB had broadcast adverts for its Italian subsidiary Winga.it on the satellite TV channel Sky 237. The advertisements promoted games and slot..

New Zealand has turned its attention to influencers promoting casino content at a time of heightened political focus on the betting and gaming sector.

The country is not alone in finding frustration with influencers of late with gambling marketing and the role social media personalities can play in this falling under an increasingly bright regulatory spotlight.

According to Radio New Zealand (RNZ), the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) is issuing takedown notices to influencers promoting overseas gaming firms.

Influencers have been live streaming their use of these firms’ products, carrying out promotional giveaways and similar activities, and have been posting links to offshore companies’ websites, the DIA told RNZ.

This violates the terms of New Zealand’s Gambling Act, which prohibits New Zealanders from advertising online gaming firms. It also comes ahead of the launch of an online casino market in New Zealand, which the state-backed TAB gaming group has some reservations abo..

The HDZ government of Croatia has been warned that radical reforms to implement a new Gambling Law will indirectly impact 15,000 jobs.

The warning comes from HUPIS, The Croatian Association of Gambling Operators who cite that proposed measures sought by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković represent an excessive regulatory burden that will have severe consequences for the legal industry”.

Latest developments in Croatia, saw a Final Proposal of the Gambling Law submitted to Parliament. Reforms focus on four central pillars of applying new centralised controls, ending aggressive advertising, revising tax duties and authorisation fees and introducing a socially responsible charter for gambling licences.

PM Plenković has pledged to restructure Croatia’s gaming regulations during his third term, aiming to address the problem of gambling addiction, which affects 40,000 Croatians.

2026 Changes & Protections

The final proposal plans to restrict gambling advertisements on internet platforms bet..