EGBA Highlights Safer Gambling Gains, Cautions Against Black Market

The European Gaming and Betting Association’s (EGBA) Sustainability Report 2025 provides a detailed assessment of the way members are stepping up efforts in terms of responsible gambling, environmental performance, and economic contributions.

The same report is flagging growing risks from unregulated markets.

EGBA Paid €3.8B ($4.44B) in Taxes 

Last year, EGBA members paid €3.8 billion ($4.44 billion) in taxes across Europe, helping fund public services, and employed nearly 63,000 people, marking a 7% increase. 

The workforce remained diverse, with women making up 43% of staff and the largest share of employees. The largest group of employees (37%) was represented by individuals aged between 26 and 35. 

Operators also injected €735 million ($859 million) into European sports through streaming rights, sponsorships, and levies.

Shift in Player Behavior and Operator Actions

On the safer gambling front, the numbers show a clear shift in both player behavior and operator outreach. 

Members sent 100 million safety messages to customers in 2024, a 48% jump over the prior year, with 27.9 million of those tailored to individual playing patterns. 

“Such targeted messaging proved impactful, with 42–46% of high-risk customers showing improved or stabilised gambling habits after receiving them,” the report noted.

Nearly 70% of customers, or 26.7 million people, used at least one safer gambling tool, and encouragingly, about half of them did so on their own initiative. 

Younger players seemed especially proactive, as 49% of voluntary tool users were aged 35 or under. Deposit limits remained the top choice, though their share slipped slightly as players explored other options.

Customer engagement also grew, with 15.9 million service interactions logged, most of them tied to bonuses, account help, or payment questions. Meanwhile, operator staff training on safer gambling rose sharply, reaching 89% of employees compared to 80% a year earlier.

In February, EGBA asked for improved age restriction protocols in gambling social media ads.

Research Investments Doubled, Energy Use Dropped

Charitable contributions edged up to €156.8 million ($183.2 million), while investment in research, education, and treatment for gambling harm saw a sharp rise, more than doubling to €148.9 million ($174 million).

On the environmental side, the industry cut its overall energy use by 11% and increased its share of renewable energy to 78%. 

However, reported greenhouse gas emissions went up, largely because of more comprehensive tracking of supply chain-related emissions.

Black Market Matters

The EGBA also sounded alarms about black market gambling, pointing to recent surges in the Netherlands and the UK. 

In Britain alone, illicit operators were estimated to handle £2.7 billion ($3,65 billion) annually, costing £335 million ($453.3 million) in lost tax revenue.

The association warned that overly harsh rules risk driving players to unsafe sites, calling for “balanced and evidence-based regulation” to keep player safety and sustainability at the heart of the industry’s future. Earlier this month, the association announced its plans to upgrade its anti-money laundering (AML) guidelines for next year, with help from insights stemming from its second annual AML report.