Ted Shapiro and Tamas Szigeti from law firm Wiggin LLP’s Brussels office are urging gambling operators across Europe and those serving European customers to brace for the increasing regulatory pressures from Brussels. With the European Union’s legislative apparatus rolling out a new wave of digital, accessibility, and AI-related rules, the sector could face a paradigm shift.
Some Measures Could Have Long-Reaching Consequences
Shapiro and Szigeti argue that the combination of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), the Digital Services Act (DSA), and the recently introduced Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) means that gambling companies can no longer ignore the emerging regulatory ecosystem. He was adamant that previously abstract compliance questions would soon necessitate real-world adaptations.
With enforcement activity expected to intensify once each law becomes fully applicable, gambling operators should proactively assess their platforms for potential compliance risks.
Ted Shapiro and Tamas Szigeti
The EAA, coming into force in June 2025, represents a substantial challenge. Although the directive broadly targets business-to-consumer services, the two experts note that its measures could apply further up the supply chain, affecting the B2B vendors that underpin the user-facing elements of gambling platforms. These accessibility standards are also not yet finalized, further complicating compliance efforts.
Swift Adaptation Is Imperative
The DSA, which went into effect earlier this year, might appear more relevant to content platforms than gambling sites. However, Shapiro and Szigeti note that any entity hosting user-generated content, like social chat rooms and forums, could face new content moderation and transparency requirements. Some operators might not even know they are affected, which could prove costly.
The AI Act, although recently enacted, could also present significant challenges for gambling companies using the technology for player profiling, fraud detection, and customer support, Shapiro and Szigeti say. Moreover, the trend toward developing custom AI models to tackle specific tasks could lead operators to face stricter regulations than anticipated.
The AI Act places the responsibility on gambling operators to assess their use of AI tools for regulatory compliance.
Ted Shapiro and Tamas Szigeti
With enforcement deadlines looming and legal uncertainty gradually fading away in favor of stringent enforcement, Shapiro and Szigeti argue that gambling operators must swiftly realign their platforms with EU standards. Such a move would avoid potential penalties while fostering trust among regulators, partners, and customers. Early adopters could also gain a competitive edge, taking advantage of regulatory lapses among their competitors.
Early preparation can offer a competitive edge, safeguard reputation, and help avoid future regulatory scrutiny.
Ted Shapiro and Tamas Szigeti
According to Shapiro and Szigeti, stricter regulatory mechanisms and increasing scrutiny will force more operators to align with these changes, either voluntarily or due to external pressures. While such measures are imperative for customer safety in an increasingly digital era, their broader effects on business could disrupt the status quo, favoring early adopters.