European countries are adopting new strict laws to regulate the gambling industry
Recently, regulations in the gambling sector have been tightening across various European nations. Authorities aim to protect players, especially the youth, from excessive involvement in gambling and financial losses. At the same time, they strive to strike a balance, preventing the explosive growth of the illegal gambling market. A similar situation exists in Bangladesh. If you need a reliable bookmaker in Bangladesh, you must use services with an offshore license. The government takes a stern stance on gambling, imposing high fines and imprisonment for violations. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has also shut down several sports-related online gambling sites in Bangladesh.
Belgium is implementing strict restrictions on casinos and bookmakers
A parliamentary bill in Belgium has been passed, significantly tightening rules for gambling operators. The age limit for participating in gambling has been raised to 21 years. This means that all casinos, bookmakers, and other companies in this sector must carefully check the documents confirming the age of their clients.
Moreover, bonus offers and other marketing promotions to attract new players have been completely banned. These measures aim to reduce the youth’s interest in gambling and protect minors from the temptation of risky bets. Restrictions have also affected the advertising of gambling services. From July 1, 2023, advertising for casinos and bookmakers has been completely prohibited, except in cases where the government grants special permission. Thus, Belgian authorities are working to minimize the normalization of gambling in public perception.
The only exception to the new rules is the national lottery. Its activities are not subject to age restrictions or advertising bans. Participants in lottery draws and scratch cards are allowed from age 18.
Changes in Albania: legalization for control
The Albanian Parliament unanimously voted to lift the ban on online betting and issue licenses to 10 verified bookmakers. This decision was made after the previous complete ban on gambling, which had been in place since 2018, failed to eradicate the illegal gambling business entirely.
According to statistics in 2018, Albanians spent around $754 million on bets in official and illegal bookmakers. The ban did not deter players but only pushed them towards underground operators not regulated by the state. The new law aims to legalize and bring under control a significant part of the Albanian gambling market. Licenses will only be issued to reputable and verified companies with extensive experience and a commitment to responsible gaming principles. A representative of the Ministry of Economy noted that this is a crucial step to protect players’ rights and contribute to tax revenues.
In Albania, land-based casinos and bookmaker clubs will remain prohibited. Only small halls with slot machines for online bets are allowed.
The UK is restricting the size of bets
New stringent restrictions for the gambling business have also been enacted in the UK. The government has set a maximum limit on the size of bets in online casinos for different age groups.
Players under 25 cannot place bets exceeding £2 per game or spin. The limit is increased to £5 for those aged 25 and above. Initially, the threshold was considered to be £15, but calculations showed that with a £5 limit, only 0.6% of all bets would fall under the restriction.
According to estimates by British authorities, introducing such limits could reduce around $210 million in annual gambling operators’ revenue. However, the government considers this measure necessary to prevent the growth of gamblers, especially among the youth.
Similar strict gambling laws are becoming increasingly popular in Europe. States aim to balance protecting citizens’ interests and maintaining the gambling industry as a significant source of tax revenue.
