Where to Open Gambling Businesses in Europe: Overview of Prospective Countries

Explore one of the most influential regions in the world. Like many years ago, new trends that affect the global industry are being created here.

The largest gaming companies began their journey to international success and recognition from the gambling market in Europe. Get acquainted with the specifics of several prospective EU countries to choose the best option for starting your business.

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Lucrativeness of the Gambling Market in Europe

The EU regularly takes first positions in the top lists of the most profitable regions in the world. A high level of economic development contributes to rapid progress in the gaming industry.

According to the latest research, the gambling business in Europe accounts for a quarter of the global industry — more than 80 billion euros per year (over 93 billion US dollars).

The key countries of this region are as follows:

1. The United Kingdom.
2. France.
3. Germany.
4. Spain.
5. Italy.

About 75% of the turnover of the entire gambling market in Europe falls on these promising states.

The United Kingdom has consistently shown the best profitability growth rate of the local entertainment industry — 4–8%. UK operators generate about 20 billion Euros (23 billion US dollars) per year.

Germany has the second-highest rate of lucrativeness growth. The revenues of local entrepreneurs are steadily increasing by 1–2% every year.

Legal Aspects of the Gaming Industry’s Development

Even though the EU is a single legal space, there is no unified casino law in Europe today. Each country establishes its regulatory standards.

Is gambling legal in Europe? Yes, it is lawful in many states. The authorities seek to create optimal conditions for controlling the gaming industry as a single system. However, this process is progressing rather slowly.

The main gambling laws in Europe were adopted from 2005 to 2011. Some changes to legislative acts are made periodically. This is due to the rapid development of technologies in the land-based and online segments.

The most perfect system of regulation of the gambling market in Europe is the legislation of the UK.

It is characterized by such features:

• detailed regulation norms for online and offline projects;
• special rules for establishments with local and offshore licences;
• the tax rate is 10–15%, depending on the scope and specifics of a business.

The Best Countries for Launching iGaming Projects

Check out the most favourable states for opening gambling businesses in Europe.

The United Kingdom

This country is the leader of the European Region. The local governance system of the gaming industry is a role model for many other states.

The main regulatory authority is the Gambling Commission. This committee is responsible for licensing gaming projects and controlling their activities.

Entrepreneurs are allowed to work in such areas:

• betting;
• lotteries;
• card games;
• bingo;
• slot machines.

UK operators can start casinos in Europe with both local and offshore licences. To obtain a British permit, an entrepreneur should provide the following information to the gaming committee:

• data on the company’s founders;
• registration documents of the legal entity;
• financial documentation and forecast of the firm's profitability for the next 12 months;
• address and contact information for communication with the applicant.

The cost of a permit depends on many factors: the field and the scale of a business, the size of the start-up capital, the range of services offered, etc.

The sum of the application charge can vary from 600 to 7 thousand pounds. At the same time, the amount of the annual licence fee in the UK is between £1,000 and £155,000.

The availability of a prestigious British permission document will let you open a legal online betting portal in Europe or launch a gaming project and gain the loyalty of players from different countries very quickly.

France

The gambling business in this country is legal. Operators are allowed to start casinos in Europe both in the land-based and in the virtual segment.

The volume of the online gaming market in France exceeds EUR 1.5 billion (1.75 billion US dollars). About 35 licenced operators work in this country. Their number is constantly growing. Most of the entrepreneurs work in such fields as bookmaking, the online poker industry, and the casino business. More than 3 million punters from France visit various gaming sites every day.

The gambling area is regulated by the main legislation act — the Security Code. This bill came into force in 2012.

Such regulatory bodies as Autorité de Régulation des Jeux en Ligne and the Ministry of Home Affairs are responsible for licensing and controlling the activities of gaming enterprises.

Germany

This is another optimal market for launching gambling businesses in Europe. The entertainment field in this country is growing very actively. There is no single system for regulating the iGaming business in Germany. Each region establishes its rules for the operation of establishments.

The state of Schleswig-Holstein has the most loyal legislation. The government of this region issues licences to both local and foreign entrepreneurs wishing to work in the online segment.

Other promising territories are as follows:

• Baden-Baden;
• Berlin;
• Leipzig;
• Hamburg;
• Cologne;
• Munich, and others.

The age limits for players in different cities vary significantly. For example, users over 21 are allowed to use gambling services in Baden-Baden. At the same time, players can visit casinos and online gaming resources from the age of 18 in Berlin.

Spain

Operators wanting to open gambling sites in Europe should pay attention to this market. The legalisation of the gaming industry began here in 1977.

Currently, the gambling business operates following the law de Regulación del Juego. Spanish legislation provides for both federal and local regulation of the gambling field. Each of the 17 autonomous territories establishes its standards for control over the entertainment area.

Here are the most promising cities for opening a gambling start-up in Europe:

• Barcelona;
• Valencia;
• Zaragoza;
• Madrid;
• Murcia, and others.

The regulatory authority is Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego. Besides, each region has its controlling department. These bodies are responsible for the legalisation of iGaming projects and control over their activities.

Italy

Here is another ideal variant for buying a casino in Europe. Games of chance and betting activities are allowed here. The entertainment industry contributes over EUR 8 billion (USD 9.4 billion) to the state budget every year.

Until 2006, Italian entrepreneurs were unable to start online gambling projects in Europe. However, in 2011 the local laws were changed dramatically.

Italian gaming legislation has such specifics:

1. Minors (people under the age of 18) are prohibited from using casino software in Europe and visiting land-based clubs there.
2. It is forbidden to locate bookmaker offices and gaming halls near schools, hospitals, and churches.
3. Slot machines can be placed not only in casinos but also in other establishments with the appropriate permission.
4. Gambling taxes vary from 4.5 to 20% depending on the field of activity.

The Netherlands

Thanks to the recent regulatory changes in 2021, the sector presents an enticing opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to access this online entertainment sector. The Remote Gambling Act marked a significant shift towards proprietary development. It means that operators are no longer limited by the state-run monopoly and resort to dedicated bodies to obtain official working permits.

First of all, you should contact the Netherlands Gambling Authority — Kansspelautoriteit. The organisation regulates the iGaming sector, ensures honest participation, and protects consumer interests. 

Vital financial notions you should be aware of:

Operators are subject to a 29.5% tax on gross revenue.

In the financial year 2022/23, the Dutch market was estimated to be worth approximately $1.5 billion.

By 2027, the number of users is expected to reach 1.8 million.

The player base is rapidly increasing due to innovative interactive technologies that progressive operators bring to the table.

When you consider where to launch the project in the Netherlands, cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht offer the most promise due to their economic significance and cultural vibrancy.

Denmark

The sector is a perfectly regulated and fertile operational ground for entrepreneurs interested in establishing gambling start-ups. The market has been open to operators since 2012. Businessmen who want to target the Danish public will find the most demanded activities to be online casinos, sports betting, and poker, which are all legal within the country.

You can approach Spillemyndigheden (a local authoritative body) to get the necessary working documents. The Danish legal framework is mainly driven by the Gambling Act and the Executive Orders on Online Casino and Betting. These decrees lay out the rules for operators.

In 2022, the financial performance was highly effective. Operators managed to contribute almost $1.5 billion to a thriving sphere. The tax rate stands at a competitive 20% on gross gaming revenue.

When you consider where to launch the project in Denmark, keep in mind these relevant cities:

• Copenhagen;
• Aarhus;
• Odense.

You will find that they present highly attractive options with elaborate urban centres and diverse levels of population.

Norway

This operational region adheres to stringent gambling regulatory frameworks. Nevertheless, opportunities for entrepreneurs are abundant. While Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto hold a monopoly on most forms of interactive activities, Norwegian operators can engage local punters through offshore jurisdictions.

In 2021, the Gambling Act underwent significant changes. However, such amendments still left certain legal aspects open. This way, authorities are potentially paving the way for a fully regulated iGaming landscape in the future.

If you consider where to initiate your project to target Norwegian players, the following cities might be the most beneficial:

• Oslo;
• Bergen;
• Trondheim.

Given high population density and economic activity, they should be at the top of your list.

Sweden

You should pay attention to this region as the country has had its gambling regulations revamped in 2019. Proprietary platforms received access to numerous opportunities in the iGaming niche. 

As you enter the local wagering sector, you should acknowledge the following crucial notions:

• The Spelinspektionen is the central authority responsible for licensing and monitoring.
• The Gambling Act is the primary regulatory document that shapes the current alignment of the sphere.
• Sweden’s welcoming ecosystem embraces online casinos, sports betting, tabletops, and innovative forms of entertainment like VR.
• The gambling tax rate of 18% on gross gaming revenue is solid and manageable.
• In 2022, the Swedish wagering market generated an impressive $2.5 billion, which reflected its robust growth. 

As you look through potential target cities, Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö are urban hubs with a strong gambling culture and a broad customer base that might be beneficial for you.

Portugal

Operators perceive this marine country as a well-adapted and legalised gambling sector. In 2015, the local regulative entity SRIJ introduced significant changes to a new legal framework.

First of all, you should get acquainted with the Gaming Law and the Online Gaming Regime. These two bills are the primary legislative documents and will help you navigate the official ecosystem.

Portugal allows online sports betting, casino games, and common tabletops. Operators are highly appealed by the considerable annual gain of the industry that almost reached $900 million in 2022. Meanwhile, the tax rate varies from 8% to 16% and depends on the type of activity offered.

Entrepreneurs looking to target Portuguese punters should focus on cities such as Lisbon, Porto, and Faro. These areas boast high population density and diverse types of potential participants.

Finland

The gambling landscape is unique here and characterised by a government-owned monopoly:

• Veikkaus;
• Fintoto;
• RAY.

These organisations currently hold exclusive rights to most forms of gambling. As a proprietary brand, you can target Finnish players through offshore jurisdictions.

For now, the Lotteries Act and the Betting Act are the primary regulatory documents that shape the sector in Finland. These laws aim to balance the need for revenue generation and responsible participation within the segment.

In 2022, the Finnish entertainment market accumulated around $1.2 billion. If you inspect the possibilities to work within the region, cities like Helsinki, Tampere, and Turku offer attractive prospects. These destinations host substantial solvent populations and statistically accept the most punters.

Strong Points of Ordering Turnkey Casinos in Europe

To enter the desired market, a novice operator needs to cope with lots of important and responsible tasks. To make them significantly easier, we recommend you order a turnkey casino in Europe.

This service includes everything you need to start and run a successful iGaming business:

The Main Things about Implementing Gaming Projects in the European Market

The choice of the right market is the key to the prosperity of any gambling start-up. Buy a casino in Europe to receive substantial financial benefits and lots of prospects for entering the international business arena.

The European iGaming industry has such features:

• high profitability of internet projects;
• well-developed legislation in most states;
• the possibility of obtaining a licence;
• adequate tax rates in many countries.

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James Burton The Casino Market partner, the owner of the gambling establishments’ network