Specifics and Prospects of Gambling Business in Europe: Overview of Key States

Entrepreneurs looking for a profitable and promising market to launch their projects often choose this region. According to the latest statistical studies, the profitability of the gambling business in Europe exceeded 25 billion euros (about 30 billion US dollars) in 2020.

Is gambling legal in Europe? The legislation of each EU country has its peculiarities. At the same time? It is quite loyal to online projects. That is why this market deserves your attention. Check out its prospects and legal specifics in more detail.

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Juridical Features of the Gambling Market in Europe

The regulation of the entertainment business in this region is carried out following the requirements of particular countries. There is no unified casino law in Europe that allows controlling the gaming field in the EU as a single system. Therefore, it is important to select the optimal market that offers many opportunities for operators.

Some states issue licences to the owners of online casinos and betting projects:

• Romania;
• Germany;
• Italy;
• Bulgaria;
• Poland;
• Belgium;
• Finland;
• the United Kingdom;
• Austria;
• Spain;
• France, and others.

The presence of a European licence is a good way to attract more potential customers and increase the level of their trust. However, its availability is not a prerequisite in some countries.

In such states as Switzerland, Monaco, Greece, Portugal, Norway, and others, it is possible to work under international licences issued by offshore jurisdictions. The cost of such permits is quite affordable. At the same time, they allow operators to receive more favourable tax conditions. This is the perfect option for beginners wishing to open gambling sites in Europe.

The Most Influential Countries

Let us explore the characteristics of several lucrative gambling markets in Europe.

The United Kingdom

The entertainment business in this country has been developing in the land-based sphere for a long time. In 2003, Tessa Jowell, the culture secretary, launched an initiative to improve the gambling law in Europe.

The main goals of the new gaming legislation were the legalisation of online activities and the adaptation of regulatory norms to the realities of that time.

The final version of the bill was adopted in 2005. A prerequisite for working on the gambling market in Europe, in particular in the United Kingdom, is the availability of a licence.

The cost of permission documents varies from 10 to 50 thousand pounds per year, depending on the scale of iGaming projects. The validity term is 5 years. Operators have to pay corporate income tax — 19% of their revenues.

France

This is another prospective legal gambling market in Europe. The main gaming law was adopted in 2009 in this country. The process of legalisation of the entertainment industry began in 2005 at the initiative of the European Commission.

This influential organisation researched the peculiarities of the gambling business in Europe at that time. It was determined that France has great potential for development in this field. After the adoption of the bill, the local operators were allowed to work in the land-based segment.

In 2010, the online space was legalised too. The rapid legitimisation of the Internet area has been associated with the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which took place in South Africa.

Already in the first month, over a million users created their accounts on the legal online betting portals in Europe. French gambling enthusiasts have spent over 80 million euros (almost 95 million US dollars) during this short period. The regulatory body Autorité Nationale des Jeux (National Gaming Authority) was created in 2010.

The main tasks of ANJ are as follows:

• The issuance of licences for starting casinos in Europe.
• The prevention of gambling addiction.
• The fight against fraud in the iGaming field.

The French government allows such online activities:

• sports betting;
• wagers on horse racing;
• poker tournaments.

Online casinos operate here too. Nonetheless, operators can provide their services under international licences. The activities of foreign online clubs are practically not monitored.

Germany

This country is one of the most optimal regions for launching and developing gambling businesses in Europe. Until 2012, the gaming industry was completely monopolised. The right to provide betting services belonged to state-owned companies. However, German operators and foreign investors got the opportunity to start online gambling projects in Europe soon.

Government officials continue to work on improving legislation to let more entrepreneurs obtain licences in the future.

The local gambling commission is engaged in the legalisation of bookmaker projects. There is no opportunity to get a licence for opening gambling clubs in Europe today. Nevertheless, operators have found the best way out of this situation — working with international permits. It is noteworthy that projects registered in offshore territories operate in Germany without hindrance.

Malta

The regulatory body of this state, the Lotteries & Gaming Authority (LGA), is incredibly significant in the global industry. The gambling commission issues licences to projects aimed at international activities.

Malta is deservedly considered one of the most reliable jurisdictions in the modern market. The presence of a Maltese permission document is considered a sign of a gaming project’s high status. If you want to buy a casino in Europe, pay attention to this country.

To obtain a licence, an operator should provide such documentation:

• VAT payer number;
• customs receipt;
• a list of company executives (primarily data on financial and executive directors);
• legal address and name of an organisation.

The cost of a permit depends on the features of a specific gambling start-up. On average, it is from 5 thousand euros (almost 6 thousand US dollars) for the first six months of work and from 7 thousand euros for each subsequent year of activity (about 8 thousand US dollars).

The exact price of opening a gambling portal in Europe can be found out by contacting representatives of the Lotteries & Gaming Authority. They will calculate the required amount based on the characteristics of your future business.

Why Is Ordering a Turnkey Casino in Europe the Best Option for Newcomers?

Creating an entertainment website from scratch is a long and costly process. To get an original product with popular casino software in Europe, you have to involve a whole team of qualified specialists.

The most optimal solution in this situation is to develop a ready-to-launch site. The start of a turnkey casino in Europe is a more economical option than the independent search for suppliers and partners.

Consider its benefits:

The Main Things about the Strong Points of the European iGaming Industry

The considered region is one of the most profitable and stable markets in the international business arena. The decision to acquire a turnkey casino in Europe will let you gain financial independence and confidence in the future.

The European gaming industry is marked by such features:

• the possibility to obtain licences in many countries in the region;
• the authoritative status of businesses on the global stage;
• the considerable lucrativeness of online entertainment portals.

Our specialists will help you find the right solutions for launching your project. Find out about the terms of collaboration by leaving a request on our website.

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Hans Adrian

B2b Gambling Business Advisor & Strategist