Major Regulatory Shifts Across Europe's Gambling Landscape
The latest updates in iGaming regulation highlight a continent-wide push for stricter enforcement and enhanced player safety. Romania is leading the charge with a series of aggressive reforms, while legal challenges continue to mount against Malta's protective measures for its licensed operators. These events underscore the complex and evolving nature of online gambling laws across the EU.
Romania's ONJN Unveils Sweeping Reforms and Enforcement
Romania’s National Office for Gambling (ONJN) has published an activity report for April 2025 to April 2026, revealing a focused strategy on digitizing oversight and tackling unlicensed operators. A key legislative change, Law no. 141/2025, expanded the ONJN's power to order the removal of illegal content. This resulted in over 60 removal orders and the blacklisting of more than 300 unlicensed websites.
The regulator also initiated investigations into GGR manipulation and unpaid taxes, leading to 70 criminal complaints and the revocation of 60 licenses. Furthermore, amendments to GEO 82/2023 restricted slot machines to localities with populations exceeding 15,000, tightening land-based controls.
A significant milestone in player protection was the allocation of state funding for responsible gambling for the first time. The "Aware and Free" programme has a budget of €5 million in non-reimbursable funding to support NGO prevention projects, treatment center infrastructure, and research. This initiative, running from August to December, aims to provide tangible support for vulnerable players.
"This year has shown that change is possible. It does not come easily and is not done without resistance... the investigations and initiatives initiated must be followed through." - Vlad-Cristian Soare, President of ONJN
Digital Innovation and Enforcement Actions
Addressing previous shortcomings identified by the Romanian Court of Accounts, the ONJN launched a public digital register for all physical gaming devices. This cloud-based system provides detailed data on each machine, which must now display a QR code and have geolocation tracking. This move is part of four major IT projects designed to automate monitoring and reporting.
The ONJN's enforcement activities over the past year have been extensive. A breakdown of control activities highlights the regulator's focus on compliance across all sectors.
| Sector | Control Activities | Fines Issued (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Land-based Operators | ~7,000 | 8.1 million lei |
| Remote (Online) Operators | ~3,500 | 1.2 million lei |
| Other Associated Entities | ~500 | 800,000 lei |
Additionally, the regulator is tackling a backlog of over 30,000 self-exclusion requests, now managing a system covering approximately 54,000 individuals. A proposed Emergency Ordinance aims to create a unified self-exclusion framework across both land-based and online sectors.
Malta's Bill 55 Faces Further EU Legal Scrutiny
Malta's attempt to shield its MGA-licensed operators from foreign lawsuits has hit another roadblock. Nicholas Emiliou, an Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), has issued a second opinion criticizing Malta Bill 55. In response to a request from an Austrian court, Emiliou stated that such national laws are “manifestly incompatible with the rules governing the recognition and enforcement of judgments” in the EU.
This reinforces the principle that rulings against Maltese operators in other EU member states must be recognized and enforced in Malta. Emiliou's non-binding opinion aligns with a binding CJEU ruling from April 16, which affirmed that member states can ban online gambling services from other EU countries, challenging Malta's reliance on EU trade freedoms.
Corporate Responsibility and Market Expansion
Major operators are also making headlines with significant investments in responsible gambling and strategic market entries, reflecting the industry's response to regulatory pressures and commercial opportunities.
Flutter Invests £1.5M in Leeds Customer Safety Hub
Flutter Entertainment is doubling down on its Flutter responsible gambling commitments by investing £1.5 million to launch a dedicated 'Centre of Excellence' in its Leeds headquarters. This hub will house the company's 450-person customer safety team and serve as a center for developing and testing new technological capabilities in player protection.
The company has set a target for 75% of its customers to use its responsible gaming tools by 2030, up from the current 60%. This investment is part of a broader strategy that saw Flutter invest £100 million in safer gambling globally in 2024, with £65 million dedicated to the UK and Ireland. Flutter is also funding a gambling awareness program with EPIC Global Solutions for Ireland's professional football league, the League of Ireland.
Bet365 Secures Licence for French Market Entry
In a major market development, Bet365 France is set to launch after receiving a license from the French regulator, Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ). The UK-based operator applied in January and is now poised to enter the competitive market in time for the FIFA World Cup 2025.
Bet365's entry is the first by a major international operator in several years and will challenge incumbents like Betclic and Winamax. The company's global brand recognition, bolstered by its UEFA Champions League sponsorship, gives it a strong foundation for carving out market share despite France's mature and tightly regulated environment.
Industry Voice: The Value of Curiosity
Amidst these technical and legal shifts, industry leaders emphasize the human element of success. Fiona Hickey, MD/CEO of Games Inc, shared her career journey from recruitment to the supplier side, highlighting the importance of humility and continuous learning.
She advises professionals to not be afraid of asking "stupid questions," as ego can be a major barrier to growth. Hickey stresses that the iGaming industry, while competitive, is also highly collaborative, and that genuine curiosity and a passion for the business are essential traits for long-term success.
