The European Union is weighing a uniform 1% tax on online gambling across all 27 member states – a proposal that has gained momentum in the bloc’s long-term budget talks, and the latest sign that Europe’s gambling crackdown is moving from national capitals to Brussels.
Negrescu has leaned heavily on the scale of Europe’s black market to make the case, citing industry estimates that illegal operators account for around 71% of the continent’s online gambling – roughly $92 billion (€80.6 billion) in 2024 against about $38 billion (€33.6 billion) for licensed sites.
Not everyone is on board. Malta – where gambling accounts for roughly a tenth of GDP – has pushed back hard, with Prime Minister Robert Abela insisting fiscal sovereignty stay with member states, and the European Gaming and Betting Association has criticized the plan for months.
