Southeast Asia is a relatively turbulent region for the current gambling industry. It is not quite accurate to say that it is turbulent. Cambodia was once a popular place, but now it is a thing of the past; Dubai also had its glorious moments, but now it is also history; and the Philippines, although once prosperous, is now gradually fading away. So, which country should the entire industry focus on for development? I think this is a question that many gambling companies are currently considering. As for this question, I will not comment on it, but we can discuss those countries where overseas gambling is legal, especially some European countries, and find out where gambling is legal.

In Europe, in order to increase regional revenue, most regional authorities have passed legislation and regulated iGaming. As a result, some private bookmakers have been able to enter some of the world's wealthy markets and replace some of the earlier corporate gambling monopolies, such as national lotteries. Therefore, Europe is a region with perfect gambling regulations and high taxes. However, Europe's wealth has attracted many online bookmakers due to its huge market size. Europe alone accounts for nearly half of the global iGaming market.

Europe not only has strict regulatory mechanisms but also a rich variety of gambling. From sports betting to online casinos to various lottery games, the choices are very diverse. Many European countries also actively hold international gambling exhibitions to attract global gambling companies to participate. These exhibitions not only promote industry exchanges but also showcase the latest technologies and trends, providing new momentum for the development of the gambling industry. Therefore, for those gambling companies that want to expand into the international market, Europe is undoubtedly an area worth paying attention to.

Gambling market size in European countries

Over the past few decades, Europe has become the center of iGaming, especially in Western Europe. In Western Europe alone, data shows that iGaming revenue is expected to reach US$31.28 billion in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 4.25% between 2024 and 2029. It can be said that Europe's iGaming market is the richest and most active market in the world, as well as the oldest market, and therefore has the most stable and complete regulatory standards. Although the market is mature, it is also a headache when facing illegal gambling, and there are not so many. This is also what they are often criticized for.

1. Gambling Policy in the United Kingdom

• Capital: London
• Language: English
• Introduction: The United Kingdom, which consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, is a country with a rich history and cultural heritage. It is famous for its monarchy, parliamentary system, literary tradition, and London as a global financial center.

Gambling is part of British culture, and almost all adults have had some experience of gambling. Nearly half of adults gamble monthly, and this behavior has been deeply integrated into their daily lives. Sports betting is the best among them, and it is so popular that you can see gambling in almost every sporting event. Although horse racing betting is decreasing, it still plays an important role in the local gambling world, and the noise and cheering at the racecourse are still a good time in many people's memories.

The UK gambling industry is huge, with nearly 100,000 employees working in the industry and gross gambling profits (GGY) exceeding £14 billion per year. This industry is not only an economic engine but also part of British culture. From April 2022 to March 2023, the total GGY of the UK gambling industry reached £15.1 billion, of which £6.5 billion came from iGaming platforms.

The UK gambling industry is regulated by the Gambling Act 2005, which allows physical and iGaming establishments to operate after obtaining a license from the local regulator, the Gambling Commission. This legal framework ensures the legality and regulation of gambling activities. The annual license fee for online casinos is calculated based on the operator's GGY, ranging from a few thousand pounds to more than half a million pounds, with revenue exceeding 1 billion pounds. License holders must pay 21% of the GGY they receive from UK customers as a tax, which brings considerable tax revenue to the government.

Due to technological advances since the introduction of the Gambling Act, the UK government launched a review of existing regulations at the end of 2020 with the aim of updating regulations and protecting the safety of vulnerable groups. As a result, gambling operators may implement stricter player verification and affordability checks in the future.

2. Gambling Policy in Germany

• Capital: Berlin
• Language: German
• Introduction: Germany is Europe's largest economy, with a strong industrial, engineering and technological base. Its rich cultural and historical heritage includes famous philosophers, musicians, and scientists. Berlin is a vibrant city that reflects Germany's history and modernization.

Germany is a country with a lot of regulations and bureaucracy, and the regulation of gambling is equally detailed. The legislation that was introduced was very strict and banned all iGaming activities. But that changed in 2021, with the passage of the Interstate Gambling Treaty, which introduced a new regulatory system for iGaming and betting in Germany. While this new system opened the door to certain iGaming activities, its strict regulations still had a great impact on the industry.

Not only German operators but also the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) claims that new regulations aimed at opening up the country's betting market have largely restricted business activities, saying that German legislation is the strictest. Germany has a larger population than the UK, but its gambling revenue in 2023 is smaller - only 4.8 billion euros, while the UK's is 12.05 billion euros. This gap reflects the impact of Germany's strict regulations on the gambling market. Despite a larger population, due to strict supervision, gambling revenue is far less than that of the UK.

German gambling restrictions include a €1 bet limit on slots, a €1,000 monthly deposit limit, a mandatory cooling-off period, a ban on famous sports figures in gambling ads, a limited list of sports that operators can offer (e.g. eSports), and other restrictions. These restrictions are designed to protect consumers and prevent gambling addiction, but they have also had a negative impact on the gambling industry. As a result, many gamblers have turned to unlicensed offshore iGaming platforms for gambling games.

3. Gambling Policy in Austria

• Capital: Vienna
• Language: German
• Introduction: Austria is a country known for its musical traditions, art, and Alpine scenery. Vienna is the capital of music, producing many famous composers such as Mozart and Beethoven, and it is also a cultural center with a long history.

The gambling industry in Austria is regulated by the Gambling Act (GSpG) and the Ministry of Finance, which is the body responsible for supervising licensed companies. In practice, the gambling industry in Austria is a monopoly, but the gambling market is expected to generate revenues of $683 million by 2024.

Nevertheless, certain types of gambling and games of low stakes as well as games of skill are regulated locally by the Austrian federal states. Although overall regulation is centralized, in certain specific areas, local governments still have a certain degree of autonomy and flexibility to formulate relevant policies.

International iGaming platforms cannot advertise in Austria and target local players. This restriction ensures the dominance of local licensed companies in the market, while also protecting local players from unlicensed gambling activities. In Austria, gambling licenses are mainly held by the following two companies, which occupy an important position in the market.

Österreichische Lotterien GmbH

The company has a license to offer lotteries, football betting, goal betting, letter lotteries, and scratch cards, and can provide electronic lottery services via the Internet and video lottery terminals.

Casinos Austria AG

The company operates 12 physical casinos and offers a variety of table games and slot machines. These casinos are not only an entertainment option for local players, but also attract a large number of international tourists, bringing significant contributions to the local economy.

4. Gambling Policy in Switzerland

• Capital: Bern
• Language: German, French, Italian, Romansh
• Introduction: Switzerland is known for its neutrality, finance, and watchmaking. This mountainous country attracts tourists from all over the world for its beautiful natural scenery and high quality of life. Switzerland is also the headquarters of several UN agencies.

In 2018, Swiss voters approved the country’s Gambling Act, which sets out the rules for Switzerland’s regulated market. When the market launches on January 1, 2019, foreign operators are banned, and only licensed local casinos can offer iGaming.

Currently, the Swiss Federal Gaming Commission authorizes 11 online casinos to operate. According to H2 Gaming Data, Swiss gross gaming revenue (GGR) is expected to grow to €400 million (£354 million/$430 million) by 2024.

Currently, Swiss gambling licenses are issued by the Federal Council and the Federal Gaming Commission for a period of 20 years. The existing licenses will expire at the end of 2024 and a new round of licenses will be selected through a tender. The tender application opens on June 1, 2022, and ends on October 31, 2022. The decision was made on April 27, 2022, and from January 1, 2025, Switzerland will have 23 regions and 23 licenses, including Class A and Class B, valid until the end of 2044.

5. Gambling Policy in Ireland

• Capital: Dublin
• Language: English, Irish
• Introduction: Ireland is known for its literary tradition, green fields, and friendly people. Dublin is the intersection of technology and culture and is home to the European headquarters of many global technology companies.

Ireland’s iGaming market is also worth mentioning. Like its neighbor, the United Kingdom, Ireland has a long history of sports betting and horse racing, which attracts a lot of people.

However, the physical gambling industry in Ireland is a mess. On the one hand, there are clear regulations in areas such as lottery and sports betting, but the laws in many other areas are unclear and even contradictory. For example, although commercial casinos are prohibited, loopholes in the law allow "private member clubs" to exist. These clubs are actually small casinos that only require customers to register as members for free.

The outdated Gambling and Lotteries Act 1956 and the Gambling Act 1931 were amended in 2022 to introduce the long-awaited Gambling Supervision Act, which introduced the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann). The establishment of this body cost over €2 million, but as of June 2024, the Authority is not yet operational and the Act has not yet come into force.

What we know now is that the bill will regulate online and offline gambling, betting, and lotteries (excluding national lotteries), and will also establish relevant principles such as protecting minors, preventing gambling problems, and advertising rules.

As for iGaming, many operators currently do not choose the Irish gambling license, but choose to obtain a license in other regions with clearer regulation. However, due to Ireland's attractive corporate tax rate, this situation may change with the introduction of new regulations.

6. Gambling Policy in the Netherlands

• Capital: Amsterdam
• Language: Dutch
• Introduction: The Netherlands is famous for its windmills, tulips, and bicycle culture. It is a highly developed country with a rich history of trade and today is an important center of international law and human rights.

The iGaming market revenue is expected to reach $1.19 billion in 2024.

While physical gambling has been regulated in the Netherlands for many years – the Dutch Gambling Authority, Kansspelautoriteit, was established in April 2012 to regulate gambling machines, betting, poker, bingo, and lotteries – iGaming was not legalized until the Remote Gambling Act came into force in April 2021. The law defines iGaming games, introduces a licensing system, and sets out relevant gambling regulations.

In 2023, the legislation was further improved to require that proof of income be checked when a player's deposit exceeds €700 per month (for players over 25 years old) and €300 (for players aged 18 to 24 years old).

In May 2024, a coalition of seven political parties proposed to increase the gambling tax in the Netherlands from 30.5% to 37.8%, but the Netherlands Online Gambling Association (NOGA) was dissatisfied with this. After the increase in gambling taxes, many people went to unlicensed gambling platforms and offshore gambling platforms to gamble. Here are a few news reports about the Dutch gambling public for reference:

1. According to local news, Ipsos asked if they would switch to an illegal supplier if their current legal supplier was banned, and about 47% of risky players agreed. Only 25% disagreed. Among all players, the figure was 37%, and among non-risky players, the figure was 31%.

Among the high-risk group, 48% said they would change service providers if they had to show proof of income, and 41% said they would change service providers if they reached their money play limit.

With a channelization rate of 95% (well above the target rate of 80%), NOGA warned that the findings showed that the crackdown on the legal industry would only push old players to unlicensed sites. These operators do not pay gambling taxes and will not change their product regardless of any revision of Dutch law.

Meanwhile, NOGA director Peter-Paul de Goeij said: "95% is a good percentage, but it also means that there are still around 90,000 Dutch people gambling illegally".

2. The study interviewed 2,806 Dutch people aged 18 and over. Last year, one in six Dutch people (16%) gambled online. This is the second consecutive year that the number of players has increased, with 13% and 11% in 2023 and 2022 respectively. As in previous years, the proportion of young adults aged 18-34 is higher (29%).

3. Tightening advertising rules appear to have had some effect, the NOGA survey found. While nearly three-quarters of Dutch people (72%) sometimes see ads, this is down from 80% in 2022.

7. Gambling Policy in Belgium

• Capital: Brussels
• Language: Dutch, French, German
• Introduction: Belgium is the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, and is famous for its chocolate, beer, and diamond processing. Brussels is also an important international political and business center.

The Belgian gambling industry is regulated by the Gambling Act of 1999; this law was amended in 2011 to accommodate the rise of iGaming.

The Belgian Gambling Commission operates a closed licensing system that strictly regulates the market. There is a cap on the number of licenses that casino and gambling operators can obtain; generally, an operator can only obtain an online operating license if it already holds a land-based license in the country. This system is designed to prevent over-saturation of the market and ensure the quality and credibility of operators.

Today, the Belgian Gambling Commission (GC) announced that the number of online sports betting licenses in the country will be reduced to 30. The General Council reduced the number of sports betting licenses from 34 to 31 last year to 30. This decision is intended to further regulate the market.

The Belgian iGaming market revenue is expected to reach $914.8 million in 2024 and $1.1 billion in 2029. After all, sports betting in Belgium still has a lot of considerable revenue. The proportion of sports betting in overseas markets is really larger than that in Southeast Asia.

Also:From June 1, gambling operators in Belgium will not be allowed to provide services to players under the age of 21. Another amendment was introduced in 2023 and will be further extended in 2025 - a ban on gambling advertising on television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and public places; subsequently, sports team sponsorship will also be banned.

8. Gambling Policy in Luxembourg

• Capital: Luxembourg City
• Language: Luxembourgish, French, German
• Introduction: Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe, but it is an important financial center with a high quality of life and a diverse culture.

Luxembourg has a small but rich population, and its per capita gambling revenue ranks third in the EU. It is also a potential gambling market for iGaming platform operators. After all, high income means a high proportion of total player consumption. However, in Luxembourg, Montedorf 2000 Casino actually has a monopoly. Although Luxembourg has strictly regulated physical gambling in the 1977 Gambling Law, iGaming is basically unregulated, and the number of physical casino licenses is also greatly limited.

However, in the Gambling Law revised in 2009, Loterie Nationale (a local national lottery organized by a non-profit public institution supervised by the government) is the only entity that can legally provide iGaming services. This makes Luxembourg's iGaming market also strictly controlled, and only this one institution can operate a legal iGaming business.

In short, online and physical gambling in Luxembourg are monopolized by these two gambling companies. This monopoly is considered a way to better guide the desires of gamblers and keep them within a controllable range. Therefore, it is impossible to apply for an iGaming license in Luxembourg. However, in actual operation, the authorities do not impose very strict restrictions on the websites of other European gambling operators. This means that many people in Luxembourg are still using overseas gambling platforms for gambling.

9. Gambling Policy in France

• Capital: Paris
• Language: French
• Introduction: France is one of the largest countries in Europe, famous for its culture, art, and cuisine. Paris is a world-renowned tourist city and a global center of fashion, art, and literature.

France has the most comprehensive gambling regulations in Europe. The responsible body, the Autorité Nationale des Gaming (ANJ), began operations in June 2020, replacing its predecessor, ARJEL.

Casino and card games are only allowed in licensed physical locations, with the exception of poker, which can be offered by online operators.

There are two monopolies, the Française des Jeux (FDJ) and the Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU). The FDJ has exclusive rights to land-based sports betting and all lotteries; the PMU controls the land-based horse racing market.

Online sports and horse racing betting is open to licensed operators, but only on events selected by the ANJ and the Ministry of Agriculture respectively.

The tax burden on online sports betting is heavy: operators must pay up to 54.9% of gross gambling revenue in combined taxes. Online horse racing is taxed differently, with a combined tax of 13.8% of bets.

However, the size of the French iGaming market makes up for the tax rate. With a population of 67 million, nearly half of the residents are engaged in the gambling industry, and gross gambling revenue of €13.4 billion in 2023, an increase of 3.5% compared to 2022, France is one of the largest markets that online operators can choose to enter.

10. Gambling Policy in Monaco

• Capital: Monaco-Ville
• Language: French
• Introduction: Monaco is a small country known for its wealthy residents, casinos, and Formula 1. The country is located on the French Riviera and has one of the highest population densities in the world.

In the mid-19th century, the Grimaldi family was on the verge of bankruptcy, and Princess Caroline proposed the idea of ​​opening a casino to supplement the treasury. Later, Monaco gradually became one of the most luxurious seaside resorts in the world, famous for its luxurious casinos and elegant environment, attracting countless wealthy people and celebrities. The casino also became an important source of income for the royal family and the country, making Monaco famous as a world-renowned gambling paradise.

Monaco's gambling policy is unique, especially at the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco. This is the most famous casino in Monaco. Since its opening in 1863, it has attracted wealthy people and tourists from all over the world. It is not only a symbol of Monaco's gambling industry, but also represents luxury and high-end entertainment experience. Monaco's offline gambling industry is strictly regulated by the government and is mainly operated by the Principality of Monaco and the Monte Carlo Beach Company (Société des Bains de Mer, SBM). However, local residents (except casino staff) are prohibited from entering the casino to gamble.

Monaco has the same strict control over iGaming. There are basically no local iGaming platforms in Monaco. This is one of the policies adopted by the Monaco government to maintain its high-end casino image, so the development of iGaming is not encouraged. Therefore, there is no such thing as an online license in Monaco. However, Monaco residents or foreigners living in Monaco can access overseas iGaming platforms to play games. The authorities have a low profile on these platforms and there is no special legislation to manage them. Therefore, it can be said that the market is open to overseas gambling platforms, or it can be said that it provides another gambling option for the residents of Monaco.

11. Gambling Policy in Andora

• Capital: Andorra la Vella
• Language: Catalan
• Introduction: Andorra is a small mountainous country located between Spain and France, famous for its ski resorts and duty-free shopping. Despite its small size, Andorra attracts a large number of tourists.

Andorra, a small country in the Pyrenees, has become a mecca for tourists due to its ski resorts. These ski resorts attract ski enthusiasts from all over the world, making Andorra's tourism industry very prosperous. Therefore, the regulation of gambling has been on the agenda for many years. As early as 2018, Andorra passed a law allowing physical casinos to operate in the country. However, although the law has been passed, no license has been issued to date. I personally feel that this may be because the market is too small and lacks sufficient demand and competitiveness. In addition, regarding the issue of iGaming, although it is said that it is not allowed, there is actually no professional regulatory mechanism and it has not aroused widespread public discussion. This makes iGaming a gray area to some extent, neither completely prohibited nor with a clear legal framework to regulate and manage it.

12. Gambling Policy in Spain

• Capital: Madrid
• Language: Spanish
• Introduction: Spain is a country with a rich history and culture, famous for its beautiful beaches, flamenco dance, and delicious food. Madrid and Barcelona are important cities in Spain, attracting tourists and cultural lovers from all over the world.

Spain is one of the largest gambling markets in Europe, with gross gambling revenue (GGR) reaching €350.7 million (about $381.6 million) in the first quarter of 2024, up 15.1% from last year. Spain's gambling market is very fragmented, which actually stems from the country's special history in the last century. It was not until 1977, during Spain's transition to democracy, that gambling was legalized by royal decree. According to the 1978 constitution, gambling regulation is not entirely controlled by the state, so each of Spain's 17 regional governments has the power to develop its own regulatory and licensing system.

In Spain, to operate an iGaming business at the federal level, you must first obtain a license from the national regulator, the Dirección General de Juego (DGOJ). If you only operate offline gambling or regional iGaming in a specific autonomous region, you must apply for a license from the local competent authority.

At the national level, the gambling industry is regulated under Law 13/2011. Operators who want to offer a certain type of game must apply for not only an overall category license for the game but also a separate license for each specific game under this category. The application fee includes registration and audit fees, which are about 45,000 euros, plus an additional 10,000 euros for each game category.

In July 2018, Spain revised its tax policy for the gambling industry, reducing the overall tax burden on operators and establishing a unified tax system. The current tax rate is 20% of gambling revenue, although in the regions of Ceuta and Melilla, the tax rate is 10%.

In 2020, Spain tightened advertising regulations, stipulating that ads on TV, radio, and YouTube can only be broadcast between 1 am and 5 am, and prohibiting the offering of event bonuses. From 2021, gambling ads cannot use celebrity endorsements or mention who the sponsor is. From 2022, ads cannot mention financial income, social status, physical or mental health, or invite family and friends to play or show off wealth. However, the Spanish Digital Games Association (Jdigital) appealed and overturned most of the restrictions, but the ban on sports sponsorship is still in effect.

13. Gambling Policy in Portugal

• Capital: Lisbon
• Language: Portuguese
• Introduction: Portugal is a country with a long history of marine exploration, famous for its beautiful coastline, rich cultural heritage, and wine. Lisbon is a vibrant city that blends modernity with tradition.

Portugal already has a fully regulated physical and iGaming market, but high tax rates and the complexity of the market remain the main factors hindering its further development. Since the introduction of the iGaming licensing system in 2016, the Portuguese government has implemented a strict tax policy on operators. The tax rate for online casinos is fixed at 25% of gambling revenue, while the tax rate for online sports betting is 8% of turnover. These high tax rates make it difficult for many local operators to stand out from the competition, especially in the face of unlicensed operators who can offer more attractive odds and bonuses without the same tax burden.

This situation has also led some Portuguese players to turn to overseas gambling platforms, which are not restricted by local regulations and can provide more competitive services.

The gambling industry in Portugal is regulated by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (SRIJ) and the legal framework consists of a series of decrees, notably the updating of Decree 422/89 and, most importantly, Decree 66/2015, which regulates the licensing system. The state-owned Casa de Santa Méridien de Lisboa (SCML) has a monopoly on lotteries and pari-mutuel sports betting.

Gambling operators can obtain a license to offer casino-style gambling, fixed-odds sports betting, fixed-odds horse racing, and bingo. The cost of issuing a license starts from €12,000 (except for bingo, which costs €2,000), the technical system approval fee is €18,000, and the approval fee for each game is calculated separately.

The tax rate for iGaming is fixed at 25% of gross gambling revenue, while the tax rate for online sports betting is 8% of turnover.

14. Gambling Policy in Italy

• Capital: Rome
• Language: Italian
• Introduction: Italy is one of the cradles of European culture and history, with a rich tradition of art, architecture, and cuisine. Cities such as Rome, Venice, and Florence are world-famous tourist destinations.

The regulatory framework for the iGaming market in Italy has been in development for over 20 years and is now considered one of the most comprehensive in the world. This is a very detailed framework, enforced by the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM), covering all aspects of operations and advertising, and is very strict. Local licenses are not renewable and can only be obtained through a tender process that the government opens when necessary. This means that the process of obtaining an operating license is both rigorous and competitive. With the current starting price for tenders being €2.5 million, the cost of a license is quite high. However, the licensed operator will have access to the largest gambling market in the European Union, which is undoubtedly a big business opportunity.

The lottery market is controlled by a private monopoly, but licensed operators can offer almost any other form of games and bets, including sports betting, poker, casino games, and other iGaming games. In terms of taxation, the operator's total revenue tax rate is between 20% and 25%. Although the tax rate is not low, the market potential is huge, and many operators are still willing to invest and strive for licenses.

In January 2024, the Italian government approved the restructuring decree proposed by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the first revision since 2011. This revision is mainly aimed at protecting players, combating illegal gambling, and increasing tax revenue to support government projects and social causes. The authorization fee for each iGaming license is 7 million euros, and the annual fee is 0.2% of net income. In addition, it is recommended to strengthen the crackdown on illegal gambling and plan to block unlicensed platforms to ensure the legitimacy and fairness of the market.

The Italian iGaming market is expected to generate revenues of $3.21 billion by 2024. This shows the huge growth potential of the market, and the number of players is expected to reach 3.4 million by 2029, which means that more and more people will participate in this market.

15. Gambling Policy in San Marino

• Capital: San Marino
• Language: Italian
• Introduction: San Marino is one of the oldest republics in the world, located in central Italy, it is a small mountainous country. Despite its small size, San Marino has a unique historical and cultural appeal.

The small mountaintop nation of San Marino is home to a partially state-owned casino, the Casino Monte Titano, named after the stunning mountain it sits on. The casino is not only a popular entertainment venue for locals and tourists but also a vital part of San Marino’s economy. All physical gambling is strictly regulated by the National Gambling Agency (Ente di Stato dei Giochi), which not only manages but also has a monopoly on the conduct of all related gambling activities. Despite the popularity of online casinos, San Marino has never issued an iGaming license.

16. Gambling Policy in Vatican City

• Capital: Vatican City
• Language: Italian, Latin
• Introduction: Vatican City is the smallest independent country in the world and is the center of the Roman Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope. Vatican City is famous for its religious and historical significance, as well as magnificent buildings such as St. Peter's Basilica.

In line with the Catholic Church’s stance on gambling, Vatican Law No. 18, passed in 2013, officially prohibits the opening of gambling venues, whether physical, online, or offshore casinos flying the Vatican flag.

17. Gambling Policy in Malta

• Capital: Valletta
• Language: Maltese, English
• Introduction: Malta is a small island country located in the Mediterranean Sea, famous for its historical sites, sunny climate, and beaches. Valletta is a city rich in historical and cultural charm.

Malta is probably one of the most well-known and respected gambling jurisdictions in the world today. Notably, it was the first member state to establish iGaming regulations within the European Union, dating back to the Online Gambling Regulations of 2004. This early legislation gave Malta a leading position in the gambling industry.

Due to this first-mover advantage and an attractive tax regime, Malta has cemented itself as the ideal choice for operators seeking a credible and reputable EU gambling license. Many international gambling companies choose to set up operations in Malta due to its strict and fair regulatory environment.

The existing legislation was comprehensively revised and consolidated in the Gambling Act 2018. This Act is complemented by a series of regulations and directives issued by the Maltese Government and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), which ensure that the legal framework remains rigorous and adaptable.

License applications can be submitted at any time, and the process is transparent and efficient. The starting fee for the license is €25,000 per year, and operators are required to pay a variable monthly contribution fee based on gambling revenue, capped at €600,000 per year. These fees ensure that regulators have sufficient resources to maintain the integrity and security of the industry.

The tax policy is particularly favorable, attracting a large number of international operators. In order to reduce the impact of double taxation on operators, the tax rate is only 5% of player revenue from Malta. This competitive tax rate makes Malta an extremely attractive center for gambling operations.

18. Gambling Policy in Finland

• Capital: Helsinki
• Language: Finnish, Swedish
• Introduction: Finland is famous for its reputation as the Land of Thousand Lakes, the Northern Lights, and Santa Claus Village. Helsinki is a modern and traditional city with a rich cultural and historical heritage.

The Finnish gambling industry is run as a state monopoly, with all forms of gambling (including lotteries, offline casinos, and sports betting) being managed by the state-owned company Veikkaus.

Regarding iGaming, although Veikkaus provides iGaming services, private companies are not allowed to operate iGaming platforms. All iGaming activities must be conducted through Veikkaus's gambling platform. Despite this monopoly model, the Finnish public can still freely access and use international overseas iGaming platforms.

19. Gambling Policy in Sweden

• Capital: Stockholm
• Language: Swedish
• Introduction: Sweden is known for its high quality of life, innovative design, and vast natural scenery. Stockholm is a vibrant and modern city that blends history with modern architecture.

Sweden's gambling market underwent a major reform in 2019, with the government introducing a new Gambling Act and establishing the Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen) as the main regulator. The new legal framework not only allows domestic companies to apply for licenses to provide gambling services in Sweden but also opens the market to international companies, thus ending the long-standing monopoly of the state-owned company Svenska Spel.

Under the new gambling law, unlike the previous monopoly model, all bookmakers operating in Sweden must hold a valid license. This means that Sweden now allows multiple bookmakers to compete fairly in the Swedish gambling market. Private companies can legally operate iGaming businesses, provided that they have obtained a gambling license issued by the Swedish Gambling Authority. However, in Sweden, bookmakers need to pay a tax rate. The tax rate for iGaming is set at 18%, while other forms of gambling may have different tax rates. The design of this tax rate also makes Sweden a gathering place in the eyes of many international gambling operators.

20. Gambling Policy in Norway

• Capital: Oslo
• Language: Norwegian
• Introduction: Norway is famous for its magnificent natural scenery, fjords, and northern lights. Oslo is a modern city with rich cultural and historical attractions.

The Norwegian gambling market is monopolized by state-owned companies Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto, which are responsible for lottery, sports betting, and horse racing betting respectively. Although Norsk Tipping provides iGaming services, the Norwegian government has strict control over the iGaming market. Other private or foreign operators in Norway cannot legally provide iGaming services.

The government uses technical and legal means to prevent unauthorized foreign gambling websites from entering the Norwegian gambling market, such as blocking financial transactions and restricting Internet access. Norwegians face technical blockades and legal risks when accessing these platforms.

Since gambling is controlled by state-owned companies, the Norwegian government does not levy gambling taxes on these companies, but instead directly receives revenue from the profits of these companies.

Summary

European countries have different policies and regulations on the gambling industry. Monaco and Malta have become world-renowned gambling centers due to their unique policies and advantages, while other countries have adopted different degrees of openness or regulation according to their own circumstances. The gambling supervision methods and policies of each country are different. Whether it is an open market or a state-owned monopoly, governments are constantly improving their gambling supervision systems to adapt to the changing market demands and social environment.

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