Online gambling monopolies in Europe have been shattered: EGBA's findings reveal new trends.
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Online gambling laws are all over the map, thanks to various approaches adopted by different countries. According to a report by EGBA, 23 out of 31 nations utilize a multi-licensing system, while four countries have a hybrid model, where only specific segments of online gambling are competitive.
For instance, Hungary and Slovenia have a monopoly on sports betting, with Austria and Poland having a monopoly on casino and poker games. In contrast, Cyprus and France impose restrictions on certain products. Finland and Norway maintain a state monopoly on online gambling, but legislative reforms might lead to a transition to multi-licensing as early as 2026.
General Secretary Maarten Haijer of EGBA observes, "While some exceptions still exist, governments are concluding that well-regulated competition achieves their policy goals, particularly in terms of consumer protection and tax revenues."
Interestingly, the United States operates under a fragmented regulatory landscape, with states having primary authority over legalization, regulation, or prohibition of online gambling. A limited number of states, such as New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, have fully regulated and licensed online gambling markets, including casino games and sports betting.
The US market doesn't have a unified federal licensing system but instead relies on state-by-state multi-licensing, allowing multiple operators to compete legally within the state. This approach encourages competition among sportsbooks and online casinos.
Conversely, some countries or regions maintain monopolies in specific gambling segments. In jurisdictions with monopolies, a single state-owned or state-endorsed operator controls certain gambling products as a means of regulating consumer protections and capturing revenue for the public sector.
The global trend has been a shift towards multi-licensing models for online gambling, given the economic advantages of competition, consumer choice, and innovation. While this trend continues, some countries retain monopolies in segments like lotteries or land-based casinos.
In summary, the online gambling landscape is a complex web of state-level multi-licensing in the US and a mix of monopoly and multi-licensing regimes internationally. Awareness of local licensing frameworks and legal restrictions is crucial for compliance and safe participation in online gambling.
- In Norway, the state maintains a monopoly on online gambling, but reforms might transition the country to a multi-licensing system by 2026.
- EGBA's report shows that 23 out of 31 nations adopt a multi-licensing system for online gambling, while some, like Finland and Norway, have state monopolies.
- In contrast, Hungary and Slovenia have a monopoly on sports betting, while Austria and Poland have a monopoly on casino and poker games.
- The global trend in online gambling is a shift towards multi-licensing models for economic advantages like competition, consumer choice, and innovation, but some countries maintain monopolies in segments like lotteries or land-based casinos.
