Casinogaming in Europe

News

There are different jurisdictions on Europe – and even in EU area, gambling is managed different by each country. This creates some issues with international casino operators, but the main idea is, that every EU citizen has an option to play – just play responsible.

Responsible gambling

Set a money limit in advance
Before you start playing, decide how much you can afford and only gamble with that. It can sometimes be hard to stick to a self-imposed limit, but setting a limit on the gambling company’s app or website can help. 

Walk away from your losses
If you’ve lost the money limit you set yourself, it’s time to walk away. Chasing your losses will usually just lead to bigger losses. 

Treat gambling as an entertainment expense
Gambling companies are designed to make money. Over time you’ll give away more money than you receive. If you do gamble, think of it like buying a cinema ticket to help you remain happy with what you’re spending.  Entertainment is also slots about Vikings and Wild Wild West.

Set a time limit in advance
It’s easy to lose track of time – and miss other life moments – when you’re gambling. Odds are that the more time you spend gambling, the more money you’ll lose. Set a time limit or alarm, and when time’s up, quite and do other things you enjoy. 

Be aware of how you’re feeling
Taking note of how you’re feeling can help you make the best decisions about whether to gamble or not. It can be easy to bet as a distraction or escape from something else, but this can make things worse.

Keep other entertainments in the mix. 
If gambling has become your only way to have fun, consider whether it might be starting to cause you problems. It can help to balance gambling with other things you enjoy. 

Take frequent breaks
Gambling continuously can make it harder to keep track of time and perspective. Stepping out at regular intervals for some air or a bite to eat can help clear your head. 

Be careful if you drink or do drugs
Drugs and alcohol make it harder to stick to your limits. If you do drink or use drugs, tell a friend about your gambling and limits, to help you stick to what you have decided

Online gambling in the EU

There is no sector-specific EU legislation in the field of gambling services. EU countries are autonomous in the way they organise their gambling services, as long as they comply with the fundamental freedoms established under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU. The freedom to provide services or to open a business in another EU country is particularly relevant here.

Most EU countries allow at least some games of chance to be offered on the internet. Some countries allow all games, while others only allow certain types such as betting, poker or casino games. In some European jurisdictions, monopolistic regimes offering online gambling services have been established. These are run by a state-controlled public operator or by a private operator on the basis of an exclusive right. However, a growing number of EU countries have established licensing systems that allow more than 1 operator to offer services on the market. Under EU law, no particular system is favoured over the others.

Gambling case law

Online gambling regulation in EU countries is characterised by diverse regulatory frameworks. In a number of judgements, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled on the compliance of national regulatory frameworks with EU law.

Gambling case lawSearch for available translations of the preceding

European Commission work in the field of online gambling services

The Commission supports EU countries’ efforts to modernise their national online gambling legal frameworks, in particular in the framework of administrative cooperation between gambling regulatory authorities. It also provides support to ensure a high level of protection for consumers and vulnerable people, including minors. In the area of standardisation, we requested the European Committee for Standardisation to develop a European voluntary standard on reporting in support of the supervision of online gambling services by national regulatory authorities.

Commission work in the field of online gambling servicesSearch for available translations of the preceding

Related policy areas

Anti-money laundering from the Commission department for justice and consumersSearch for available translations of the preceding

Match-fixing from the Commission department for sport Search for available translations of the preceding

Tagged

Leave a Reply