European Regulators Coordinate Offshore Enforcement for Online Casinos

Key Takeaways:

• European authorities formalise cross-border cooperation to combat unlicensed operators dominating the online gambling market.
• Spain's regulated online casino sector records strong quarterly growth amid stricter enforcement.
• Dutch regulator imposes significant fine on major operator for duty of care breaches.

Spain's Online Casino Sector Sustains Robust Growth

Spain's regulated online gambling market continues to expand, with online casino emerging as the dominant vertical. In the third quarter of 2025, online casino gross gaming revenue reached €230.97 million, marking a 22.93% year-on-year increase and accounting for nearly 57% of the total online market. This growth reflects sustained player engagement in a licensed environment, supported by the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ)'s ongoing enforcement actions, including shutdowns of illegal operators and substantial fines on unlicensed entities.

The performance underscores the effectiveness of Spain's regulatory framework in channeling demand toward licensed operators, even as broader European efforts target offshore competition. This trend highlights the potential for regulated markets to capture revenue while prioritising player protection.

Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/finance/quarterly-results/online-casino-drives-spain-gambling-surge

Seven European Regulators Formalise Anti-Offshore Agreement

In a significant step toward market consolidation, gambling authorities from Germany, Austria, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, and Spain signed a coordination agreement in November 2025 to intensify enforcement against unlicensed offshore operators. The initiative addresses the reality that unregulated sites control approximately 71% of Europe's online gambling market, generating €80.6 billion compared to €33.6 billion from licensed channels.

A forthcoming voluntary regulatory framework, expected in early 2026, will facilitate information sharing, joint investigations, and coordinated measures such as DNS and payment blocking. Data indicates varying offshore penetration across these jurisdictions, with stricter enforcement models—like Spain's—demonstrating greater success in consolidating legal markets. This collaboration signals a unified push to reclaim tax revenue, enhance compliance, and protect consumers from unregulated risks.

Source: https://next.io/news/features/blask-which-enforcement-approaches-curb-offshore-gambling

Dutch Authority Fines Leo Vegas for Player Protection Failures

The Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), Netherlands' gambling regulator, levied a €500,000 fine on Leo Vegas for inadequate duty of care compliance between October 2023 and May 2024. The investigation revealed failures to intervene effectively in cases of excessive play, including instances of significant losses in short periods—key indicators of potential harm.

This action reinforces the KSA's heightened supervision of player protection obligations in the regulated market, emphasising proactive monitoring and intervention. As the Dutch framework matures, such penalties serve as a reminder to licensed operators of the escalating expectations for responsible gambling measures.

Source: https://next.io/news/regulation/leovegas-fined-500k-in-netherlands/

Crypto Integration Debated in Regulated Jurisdictions

Policymakers in online casino jurisdictions including the UK, Estonia, the Netherlands, and South Africa are evaluating pathways for cryptocurrency in online gambling. Discussions centre on whether blockchain-based payments can align with stringent anti-money laundering and consumer protection standards, potentially bringing offshore crypto operators into regulated perimeters.

While some view crypto as a tool for enhanced traceability, others highlight alignment challenges with existing fiat-focused rules. This evolving dialogue reflects broader industry efforts to balance innovation with regulatory integrity.

Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/crypto-gambling/crypto-gambling-march-to-legitimacy/