Press Releases

28.04.2020

BRUSSELS, 28 April 2020 – The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has today published the first pan-European Code of Conduct on responsible advertising for online gambling. The Code is broad in scope and introduces essential standards for advertising content, across all media platforms, and dedicated measures for social media. The Code has a particular focus on minor protection. The “Code of Conduct on Responsible Advertising for Online Gambling” intends to complement and strengthen existing legal and self-regulatory frameworks for online gambling advertising in Europe(1). The initiative has been developed in the context of the EU Audio Visual Media Services Directive, which emphasises the important role of self and co-regulation in protecting minors from exposure to gambling advertising(2). The Code sets long-term standards for gambling advertising content in Europe and complements EGBA’s more immediate efforts to promote responsible gambling advertising during the coronavirus pandemic. The Code includes specific measures on:...

30.03.2020

With increasing global concern about the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the health, safety and well-being of the general public is of utmost concern. During this particularly concerning time for citizens online gambling companies should act socially responsible and ensure that those Europeans who choose to gamble online can continue do so in a safe and secure environment. In this respect, we strongly oppose the apparent reference to the coronavirus in some recent gambling advertising and urge all online gambling companies to ensure that their: Advertising does not refer to the coronavirus, World Health Organisation (WHO) coronavirus-related statements and/or any other coronavirus-related developments. Advertising does not portray gambling as a solution to social, personal or financial problems or invites customers to gamble online as a solution to boredom. Advertising and websites contain signposted information about minimum age restrictions, national problem gambling helplines and national self-exclusion registers. Customers are closely monitored for...

23.03.2020

BRUSSELS, 23 March 2020 – Global concerns about the coronavirus (COVID19) have led to a 11% drop in forecasted global gambling revenues in 2020* - with 2020 global gambling gross win downgraded from its pre-COVID19 forecasts of $473bn to $421bn (close to 2016 levels), according to industry analysts H2 Gambling Capital's new weekly COVID Impact Tracker. While H2 Gambling Capital expect an increase in online activity, with the online gambling sector moving from 13.2% to a 15.7% share of global gambling revenue, the unprecedented shutdown of major sports events across the globe will hit overall revenues across the entire gambling sector (both offline and online). Currently major sports events suspended or canceled due to the virus include football's the English Premier League, Spain’s la Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga and the European Champions League, as well as The Masters golf major, and the UK’s Grand National horserace - all major events for European bookmakers. In...

10.03.2020

BRUSSELS, 10 March 2020 - The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) welcomes the European Commission’s action plan for the enforcement of EU single market rules[1] published today and urges the Commission to ensure online sectors and consumers truly benefit from the single market. EGBA agrees that implementation and enforcement of EU law is a joint responsibility of both the European Commission and Member States. But that joint responsibility does not negate the special role of the European Commission as the guardian of the Treaties to ensure EU law is adhered to, as well as its role in supporting Member States to avoid potential infringement by scrutinizing their draft laws and maintaining dialogue via the Technical Regulation Information System (TRIS) notifications. In this respect, EGBA welcomes the Commission’s firm commitment to strictly ensure that Member States properly notify all their draft laws to the Commission. The EU single market cannot...

11.12.2019

Europe’s online gambling market grew 11% - from €20 billion gross gaming revenue (GGR)[1] in 2017 to €22.2 billion GGR in 2018 – according to market data published today by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) in partnership with H2 Gambling Capital. The data confirms the ongoing popularity of online gambling in the EU. According to the new data, covering the 2018 market year, EGBA members had 16.5 million active customers and generated €5.41 billion in online gambling GGR – accounting for 24% of the total EU online gambling market. The annual data collection includes data on the overall EU online gambling market and EGBA member companies – including information about their market value, payments, games, sports, customers, licensing and compliance. EGBA represents bet365, Betsson Group, GVC Holdings PLC, Kindred Group PLC, MRG, and ZEAL Network, who combined had a total of 121 online gambling licenses across 20 EU...

04.09.2019

BRUSSELS, 04 September 2019 - A new study by the European Parliament has found that deepening EU digital single market (DSM) rules to include online gambling could deliver nearly €6 billion in savings for EU consumers and businesses per year and fill existing gaps in Europe’s consumer protection framework. The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) welcomes the findings and calls on EU policy makers to introduce a single set of rules for online gambling. The study[1], presented to the Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) during its session on 2-3 September, evaluated the benefits of existing DSM measures and outlined the potential economic benefits for citizens and businesses by further deepening DSM policies. The study found that the EU could potentially generate €5.6 billion per year in societal welfare and consumer benefits by including online gambling – a sector worth €20 billion per year – in the...