As the European Commission embarks on its 2024-2029 mandate with an ambitious agenda for supporting European citizens and businesses, the European Casino Association (ECA) has published its landmark Manifesto.
This comprehensive document, titled Winning Together: A Pledge to Fight Crime, Protect Consumers, and Support the EU’s Competitiveness, offers a strategic roadmap for collaboration with EU policymakers to foster a safe, regulated, and thriving casino industry.
The ECA Manifesto: A Framework for Cooperation
The ECA Manifesto builds on three foundational pillars: Support, Protect, and Promote. These principles encapsulate the association’s mission to assist policymakers, safeguard consumer interests, and enhance the economic contribution of Europe’s casino industry.
1. Support: Combating Crime in Gambling
Illegal gambling poses a significant challenge to the integrity of the European gaming sector. A recent study commissioned by the ECA revealed that approximately 70% of online gaming revenue in the EU—valued at €32 billion—was generated by illegal operators in the first half of 2024.
This shadow economy deprives EU Member States of over €10 billion in annual tax revenue.
The Manifesto emphasizes the need for robust anti-money laundering (AML) measures and supports the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Package.
The ECA calls for stronger collaboration with Europol and effective enforcement of the subsidiarity principle, ensuring that gaming regulations remain tailored to the needs of individual Member States.
2. Protect: Ensuring Consumer Safety
Illegal gambling not only undermines financial stability but also endangers consumers by bypassing regulatory safeguards. These operators frequently neglect mandatory ID checks, AML compliance, and measures to protect vulnerable players, thereby exacerbating societal risks.
In response, the ECA promotes its Responsible Gaming Standard, which includes rigorous auditing processes, exclusion mechanisms for at-risk players, and a code of conduct for licensed operators.
The association urges policymakers to reinforce consumer protection by implementing the Digital Services Act (DSA) to curb the promotion of illegal gambling on social media platforms.
3. Promote: Driving Economic Growth
Europe’s licensed casino operators contribute significantly to local economies, creating jobs, supporting community projects, and boosting national GDPs. With approximately 700 casinos employing 70,000 individuals across 29 countries, the ECA’s members are integral to the EU’s economic fabric.
However, unfair competition from illegal operators and restrictive banking practices—often resulting from de-risking—pose challenges to legitimate businesses.
The Manifesto advocates for fair financial frameworks to ensure that licensed casinos can access essential banking services and investment capital, enabling them to continue fostering growth and innovation.
The Call to Action for Policymakers
The ECA Manifesto outlines actionable recommendations for EU institutions and Member States, including:
- Strengthening enforcement of the AML/CFT Package.
- Ensuring a proportionate and risk-based approach to gaming regulation.
- Supporting Member States in reclaiming control over gambling services to ensure compliance and protective measures.
- Recognizing the casino sector’s contributions to the tourism and hospitality industries.
ECA Chair Erwin van Lambaart underscores the urgency of these measures, stating, “This document reflects our commitment to supporting the EU and Member States’ efforts to uphold a regulated and responsible land-based casino sector. We call on policymakers to collaborate with us in safeguarding the integrity of the gaming industry against illegal operators while fostering economic growth and protecting consumers.”
The Broader Vision: Winning Together
The Manifesto not only addresses immediate challenges but also sets a visionary course for the future of Europe’s casino industry. By prioritizing collaboration, the ECA aims to create a sustainable, competitive, and responsible gaming environment that aligns with the EU’s broader economic and social goals.
This bold initiative is more than a policy proposal; it is a rallying cry for unity among regulators, operators, and policymakers to ensure the continued success of Europe’s casino sector—an industry that represents not just entertainment but a vital pillar of the European economy.
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