Gambling Regulations in Europe

By John Isaac,
Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac is an editor with many years of experience in the gambling industry. He writes expert articles on card games like blackjack and poker. In addition, he is also well aware of the US gambling laws and the Indian and Dutch gambling markets. You can rely on verified information and insightful details.

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Last updated: July 22, 2019

One person’s loss is another person’s profit. That’s life in the gambling world. While gambling is one business that is looked down upon, it is also accepted worldwide. Every country, every state or say, every person has gambled at least once in his life for ‘Life is a gamble.’ It is not easy to govern a country, let alone a continent. While the residents of the UK can legally enjoy a certain kind of gambling, the same may not apply to other countries that also include self-governing nations. There are laws and regulations in place that control the gambling industries in Europe.

European Gambling Jurisdictions

Rolling dice can change your fate; it can either make you or break you. © Pixabay.

Europe is bigger than the EU alone. It includes other self-governing nations that makes keeping up with gambling laws a challenge. There are several jurisdictions within Europe. These jurisdictions either follow rules and regulations implemented by them or tie up with the European Union. Some of the Jurisdictions include:

• Alderney Gambling Jurisdiction: The Alderney Control Commission established in May 2000 is independent and non-political. It regulates eGambling on behalf of the States of Alderney.
• Gibraltar Gambling Jurisdiction: Gibraltar betting and gaming association represents online gambling businesses with remote gambling licenses issued in Gibraltar. It is funded by its members who are mostly license holders holding licenses issued by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner.
• Isle of Man Gambling Jurisdiction: The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission was established in 1962. It is the gaming control board for the Isle of Man and regulates most forms of gambling in its territory, both land-based and online gambling. The Gambling Supervision Commission was established to ensure that gambling remains fair and crime-free.
• Malta Gaming Authority: Formerly known as Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Malta Gaming Authority was established in 2001 to ensure fairness transparency to players using gaming services. It regulates most forms of gambling in its territory, ensuring that the rules and regulations prevent crime, corruption, and such towards small, vulnerable players. It is the gaming control board of Malta that regulates both land-based and online gambling.

European Gambling and Betting Association

European Gambling and Betting Association or EGBA is a new organization which is responsible for fair and regulated gambling in Europe. It is a Brussels based organization which was formerly known as the European Betting Association. The EGBA is formed in an attempt to make gambling in Europe safer for everyone. Though EGBS does not have many members at present, it is taking several vital steps to ensure safe gambling for all.

Different Gambling Laws in European Countries

The European gambling laws and regulations are not made by a central authority and are influenced and implemented from different European countries. Different European countries have different gambling laws.

For instance, in France, three organizations govern gambling of three different types; Online gambling, lotteries and games, and horse racing. Online gambling is legal only in some regions of France. This initiative was taken in cooperation with EU laws and regulations.

The gambling laws in Italy are very liberal. Their rules and regulations are very relaxed. Italians enjoy gambling games online, as well as in retail locations. But in Spain, the gambling laws and regulations frequently change. Recently, players were allowed to gamble in only fully licensed providers of games. Spain territory has banned any unlicensed gambling retail locations.

Every country has different laws that govern the gambling industry. The laws and regulations of gambling change based on what the country believes is the best for its residents.