Regulatory bodies are becoming increasingly strict, and companies are paying more attention to compliance, but strangely, the number of violations and fines in the European online gambling industry is on the rise rather than decreasing. This is actually due to continuously upgraded regulations, operational shortcomings, and the ongoing struggle between business goals and compliance requirements.
First, the amount of fines is astonishing, with Spain being the "harshest"
Indeed, the European gambling industry has been fined a significant amount of money for violations in recent years. It is conservatively estimated that the fines exceed 150 million euros annually. Among them, the Spanish regulatory authority has been the most severe, issuing fines totaling 142.7 million euros to operators in 2024 alone. Not only Spain, but also the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other countries have not been lenient—such as the Netherlands, which fined an unlicensed casino nearly 20 million euros last year.
Second, high compliance costs put operators in a difficult position
You might ask, despite such severe penalties, why are there still violations? Industry insiders point out that on one hand, compliance costs are increasing, requiring significant investments in systems and personnel; on the other hand, market profits are thinning, and companies inevitably struggle between compliance investments and business returns. Especially today, when young players are accustomed to fast experiences, satisfying immediate experiences without crossing consumer protection lines is indeed a difficult balance to strike.
Third, regulatory methods are changing: from punishment to prevention
Fortunately, the regulatory approach is also adjusting. For example, the UK Gambling Commission has begun to use real-time data monitoring to proactively identify at-risk user groups, aiming to address issues before they arise. Some lawyers believe that operators have actually made significant progress in anti-money laundering and social responsibility in recent years, but regulatory standards have risen faster. Now, many countries also prefer to offer opportunities for rectification rather than revoking licenses directly.
Fourth, the future key: infrastructure and dialogue
To truly reduce violations, penalties alone may not be sufficient. The key is to continue investing in compliance technology and make automated monitoring smarter. Additionally, maintaining effective communication between legislators, regulatory bodies, and the industry is very important. After all, only by truly integrating compliance into daily operations can the industry have a long-term future.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leader" gambling industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
Original in-depth gambling channel:https://t.me/gamblingdeep
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PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
