🧭 Why It’s Important to Understand Gambling Laws in Europe
Online betting is legal in most parts of Europe — but not everywhere, and certainly not the same way.
Some countries have government-controlled monopolies. Others offer open markets with dozens of licensed operators. A few still block or heavily restrict gambling sites, even banning advertising or promotions.
That’s why, before placing your first bet or signing up for a bonus, you need to know:
- 🆗 Is betting legal in your country?
- 📋 Which licensing body regulates your market?
- 🚫 Are there restrictions on bonuses or ads?
- 🌍 Can you use international (offshore) sites legally?
🗺️ Europe’s Betting Laws – Country by Country
Here’s a snapshot of the current legal status (2025) of online betting across key European markets:
| Country | Is Online Betting Legal? | Licensing Body | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 UK | ✅ Yes | UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) | Full regulation; all ads, bonuses allowed; mandatory GAMSTOP self-exclusion. |
| 🇫🇷 France | ✅ Yes (regulated) | Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) | Strict ad controls, regulated sites only. Poker and sports betting legal. |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | ✅ Yes (2021 law reform) | Glücksspielbehörde (GGL) | 2021 reform introduced 5.3% tax on stakes; slot & sports betting allowed. |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | ✅ Yes | Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) | Limited bonuses and ads; regulated since 2011. |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | ✅ Yes | Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) | Regulated market, but strict advertising bans. |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | ✅ Yes (since 2021) | Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) | Licensed market with strict KYC and advertising restrictions. |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | ✅ Yes | Spelinspektionen | Open market; strict on responsible gambling and bonuses (1 per user). |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | ✅ Yes | Spillemyndigheden | Liberal market with multiple operators. |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | ⚠️ Partial (monopoly) | Norsk Tipping (State Monopoly) | Only state-run betting allowed; offshore sites tolerated but not legal. |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | ⚠️ Partial (monopoly) | Veikkaus (State Monopoly) | Monopoly system under review for reform in 2026. |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | ✅ Yes (licensed only) | ESBK & Gespa | Must be licensed; foreign sites are blocked via IP. |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | ✅ Yes | Ministry of Finance | High taxation; local license required. |
🔐 Offshore Bookmakers – Are They Legal?
Many players in restricted or semi-restricted markets (like Norway, Finland, or Poland) turn to offshore bookmakers like 1xBet, 22Bet, Betwinner, or BC.Game. These sites are:
- ✅ Licensed in Curaçao, MGA, or similar
- 🧩 Often accessible with VPNs
- ❗ Technically “grey area” in some countries
⚠️ Always check your local laws and know that you are responsible for complying with them.
🏛️ Key Licensing Authorities in Europe
Here are the most reputable regulators:
- 🇬🇧 UKGC – United Kingdom Gambling Commission
- 🇲🇹 MGA – Malta Gaming Authority
- 🇸🇪 Spelinspektionen – Sweden’s Gambling Authority
- 🇩🇪 GGL – German Gambling Authority
- 🇫🇷 ANJ – France’s national regulator
- 🇪🇸 DGOJ – Spain’s gambling body
- 🇮🇹 ADM – Italy’s regulator
- 🇳🇱 KSA – Dutch authority
- 🇩🇰 Spillemyndigheden – Denmark’s regulator
If your betting site has a license from one of these, you’re likely in good hands.
🧑⚖️ What You’re Allowed to Do (General Rules)
| Action | Status in Most of Europe |
|---|---|
| ✅ Sign up at a licensed betting site | Legal in most countries |
| ✅ Claim bonuses | Legal, but restricted in France, Sweden, Italy |
| ✅ Use e-wallets & crypto | Depends on country; some regulate crypto tightly |
| ❌ Underage betting | Illegal (min. age is 18+) |
| ❌ Advertising unlicensed brands | Illegal in UK, DE, FR, IT |
🛡️ Responsible Gambling Laws
Most European markets now enforce mandatory self-exclusion tools, including:
- GAMSTOP (UK)
- Spelpaus (Sweden)
- Auto exclusion portals (Spain, France, Netherlands)
These tools help users pause or block their betting accounts for a set time.
🧠 Final Advice: Stay Legal, Stay Safe
Online betting is fun — but only when you do it safely and legally. Bet-in-Europe only recommends bookmakers that follow strict licensing rules, use encrypted payment systems, and support responsible gambling tools.
💬 Still not sure if betting is legal in your country?
Contact us — we’ll help you figure it out.