EGBA Report Highlights 2026 Milestones in Online Gambling

EGBA Reaches Key Milestones Across Europe's Online Gambling Market

The latest report outlines the association’s most significant milestones over the past 12 months, with a strong focus on strengthening standards in player protection, advertising, anti-money laundering (AML) and responsible gambling.

Among the year's biggest milestones was the 5th European Safer Gambling Week, which recorded its highest level of participation to date. The 2025 edition also marked a first for the initiative, with responsible gambling messages displayed during live televised football matches in several European countries.

To further support consumer protection, EGBA also launched safergambling.eu, a dedicated platform that connects players with country-specific self-exclusion services and gambling support helplines across Europe. The launch represents another important milestone in the association’s strategy to improve player protection throughout regulated markets.

Responsible Gambling and Sustainability Mark New Industry Milestones

The report highlights additional milestones in sustainability and responsible gambling among EGBA members.

The association’s Annual Sustainability Report 2025 revealed further advances in environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives while, for the first time, including data on members’ tax contributions to European economies.

Another major milestone was the approval of the first European standard on markers of harm for online gambling, an initiative originally proposed by EGBA in 2022. The standard is intended to help operators identify potentially harmful gambling behavior more effectively and strengthen early intervention measures.

In parallel, EGBA partnered with the European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA) to introduce a Responsible Influencer Marketing Pledge, establishing new best-practice guidelines for gambling-related marketing through social media creators. This agreement is considered one of the year's most relevant milestones for responsible advertising.

Membership Growth Adds Further Milestones

The association also achieved important organizational milestones during the year.

Tipico joined EGBA as its ninth full operator member, while payment technology company Yaspa became a new associate member. Internally, EGBA expanded its secretariat with three additional specialists covering policy, regulatory affairs and engagement with European Union institutions, further strengthening its capacity to support the regulated gambling sector.

Market Data Reflects Industry Milestones in 2025

Beyond organizational developments, the report includes aggregated market data from EGBA members for 2025, providing information on return-to-player (RTP) rates, customer winnings, licensed operations and product performance across Europe's regulated online gambling market.

These figures represent another of the report’s key milestones, offering policymakers and industry stakeholders greater transparency regarding the scale and characteristics of regulated online gambling in Europe.

Finland's Market Reform Becomes a Regulatory Milestone

Commenting on the report, Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, described the past year as a defining period for the association.

"It was a landmark year for EGBA in several respects: the most impactful European Safer Gambling Week yet, the approval of the first European standard on markers of harm, new standards on influencer marketing, and continued progress under our AML Guidelines."

Haijer also welcomed Finland's ongoing transition toward a multi-license gambling market, describing it as a major regulatory milestone for Europe.

"Finland’s transition to a multi-licensed market is also a major development that we have long called for, and validates our long-standing position that competitive, regulated markets are the most effective way to protect consumers and address the illegal market. Looking ahead, we’ll continue our efforts to set standards across the industry and to promote balanced and smart regulation across Europe."

With growing membership, expanded responsible gambling initiatives and a series of important milestones in regulation, consumer protection and industry cooperation, EGBA says it will continue promoting higher standards and supporting the development of well-regulated online gambling markets across Europe.