Europe cracks down on gambling and digital gaming with stricter rules
European regulators have stepped up oversight of gambling and digital gaming this week. France, Belgium, and the Netherlands all announced new measures to tighten controls and close legal gaps. The moves aim to clarify boundaries between gambling and digital entertainment while enforcing stricter compliance.
France introduced a new regulatory framework for monetisable digital object games (JONUM), covering items like loot boxes. The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) issued Decision No. 2024-02 on February 13, 2024, setting out rules for operators. They must meet declaration and transparency requirements by May 31, 2025, with bans on manipulative practices—such as psychological inducements—fully enforced from July 1, 2025.
In Belgium, the updated Duty of Care code now demands stronger player monitoring and intervention from licensed operators. The changes raise standards for responsible gambling, requiring more proactive measures to protect users.
Meanwhile, the Dutch gambling regulator, Kansspelautoriteit, ordered unlicensed prediction market platform Polymarket to halt services for Dutch users. The action highlights the Netherlands' push to enforce licensing rules and block unregulated operators.
Across Europe, authorities are focusing on stricter supervision and eliminating grey areas. Operators working in multiple jurisdictions now face higher compliance burdens as regulators align enforcement efforts.
The new measures signal a shift toward tighter control over gambling news and digital gaming. Operators must adapt to stricter rules, with deadlines for compliance approaching in France. Regulators are also cracking down on unlicensed platforms, as seen in the Netherlands' action against Polymarket.
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