Is Online Gambling Legal In Europe?

Current Overview of Online Gambling Legality in Europe:

Europe is home to 50 countries, 44 of which have their capital city on the continent. Each country has its approach to regulating online gambling. The majority have legalized some form of online gambling, reflecting the industry’s economic potential and the demand for gambling services.

• Legalized Online Gambling: 42 countries in Europe have legalized online gambling in some form.
• Illegal or Restricted Online Gambling: 4 countries prohibit online gambling entirely (Iceland, Albania, Kosov, and Vatican City) or have highly restrictive regulations. In these regions, online gambling is limited to either a specific state-controlled entity or banned, often due to concerns over gambling addiction, fraud, and money laundering. However, in some, individuals can still play and aren’t legally prosecuted, but they could face consequences (like morals) in territories like Vatican City.

Before continuing further, I would like to state that this is not legal advice and that you please double-check your country’s legal status if it generally has strict prohibitions.

• Economic Impact: The European online gambling market is one of the largest in the world, with an estimated annual revenue exceeding €22 billion.
• Regulatory Diversity: There is no unified regulation for online gambling at the European Union level. Instead, each country operates under its laws, although it must adhere to broader EU principles. This has led to a patchwork of regulations, where some countries like Malta and the UK are seen as hotspots for online gambling, offering favorable conditions for operators.

The first image at the beginning of the page displays all European territories’ legal status towards online gambling, while the second image shows whether people gamble. Now, let’s dive in and see how the situation is country by country.

Albania

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? Sports, no; other forms, yes.
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Only online sports betting is allowed, and if a police officer catches you gambling, you might be prosecuted.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: We don’t recommend playing from Albania.

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling is legal and regulated in Andorra under Law 4/2021.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Currently, Win2Day, a state monopoly, is the only licensed online operator for casino and poker games. Despite this, Austrian law does not prohibit players from accessing foreign-licensed gambling sites.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling in Belarus is fully legalized; players must be over 21, and casinos must hold a valid license.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: The legal gambling limit in Belgium is set to 21.
Recommended Casino: Bspin
Recommended Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling was legalized nationwide in 2011. However, it had a more complex history with online gambling regulations, including a brief period when attempts were made to ban foreign online gambling sites. But this was later reversed due to public opposition.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Coinplay

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: The most recent changes, effective May 2024, include stringent restrictions on gambling advertising across all media and a rise in the minimum capital requirements for certain gambling licenses. Additionally, operators are required to contribute to a fund for the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Coinplay

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: The legal gambling age is 18. Winnings from gambling are taxable at varying rates depending on the amount, starting at 10% for smaller winnings.
Croatia: Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Coinplay

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Czechia has a well-established and EU-compliant regulatory framework for gambling. In 2024, they added live dealer games to the list of permitted activities.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: TrustDice

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: The Danish Gambling Authority oversees all gambling operations. Online gambling operators must obtain a license and are subject to rigorous application processes and compliance requirements.
Recommended Casino: Bspin

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: The Estonian Tax and Customs Board (ETCB) is responsible for licensing and overseeing all gambling operations. Online gambling was legalized in 2010.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Coinplay

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: The Faroe Islands do not have a distinct regulatory body specifically for gambling; instead, they fall under the Danish regulatory framework managed by Spillemyndigheden.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Finland has a monopoly system where Veikkaus controls the gambling services. The system is set to change, with new legislation expected to take effect by 2027.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: TrustDice

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: France legalized online gambling in 2010, and it is supervised by ARJEL, a regulatory authority for online games.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: As of July 2021, online gambling in Germany is permitted nationwide. Check out our guide to learn more about crypto casinos in Germany.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: The Gambling Act 2005 provides the legislative basis under which the Gambling Commissioner oversees all operations.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: The regulatory body overseeing gambling in Greece is the Hellenic Gaming Commission, which ensures that all operators meet regulations to offer gambling services legally.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Coinplay

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online casinos must be owned by or partnered with land-based casinos, and the state-owned Szerencsejáték Zrt controls both online and offline sports betting.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: TrustDice

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? Yes
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: All forms of gambling, including online gambling operated within Iceland, are prohibited. However, residents can legally access foreign gambling sites without fear of prosecution.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Coinplay

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland oversees all gambling activities focusing on public safety. Check out our guide if you want to learn more about crypto casinos in Ireland.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Gambling is allowed, and it is regulated by the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM or Agency of Customs and Monopolies).
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: TrustDice

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? Yes
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: There is no enforcement against individuals participating in online gambling, but it is otherwise prohibited.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling in Latvia is well-regulated. You can start gambling in regular casinos when you are 18, but if you want to play in their online casinos, you will have to wait until you are 21.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Coinplay

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Gambling online is legal. However, online casinos can’t obtain licenses there, and the government extended its ban on processing online gambling applications until 2028.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: The country updated its gambling laws in 2016 to legalize online gambling and later revised these laws to allow operators without land-based establishments also to offer online gambling services starting from July 2022. But you have to be 21 to gamble online.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Coinplay

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling falls under the broad Gambling Law, allowing residents to access international online gambling platforms without repercussions freely.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Malta has a sophisticated set of gambling regulations managed by the Malta Gaming Authority.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: The state monopolizes most forms of gambling through the National Lottery of Moldova. Residents are still able to access foreign gambling sites. Online gambling, including casinos and sports betting, is permitted with specific tax regulations.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: TrustDice

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: The gambling industry is legal and well-regulated.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling was legalized in 2011, while the legal gambling age is set to 18.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Gambling in the Netherlands is managed by the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), which oversees licensing and compliance, and online gambling has been fully legal since 2021.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling was legalized in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Coinplay

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: The Norwegian gambling market is tightly controlled with strict regulations. The state monopoly restricts the operation of online casinos and other gambling activities to the two state-owned organizations: Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: TrustDice

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling is restricted mainly to the operations conducted by state-monopolized entities or otherwise prohibited except for licensed sports betting and lotteries.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: TrustDice

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling in Portugal is regulated by the Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ). The regulation was established in 2015, allowing licensed operators to offer various types of online gambling.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: TrustDice

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling in Romania is regulated by the National Gambling Office (ONJN).
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: TrustDice

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status:Online gambling in San Marino is regulated by the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM). Players can gamble online without legal repercussions.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: TrustDice

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling in Serbia is regulated under the Law on Games of Chance and Anyone over 18 can gamble online.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Coinplay

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling in Slovakia is regulated by the Ministry of Finance.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online operators must have a land-based presence in Slovenia and a concession to operate.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Coinplay

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling in Spain is regulated nationally under the Gambling Act of 2011.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: TrustDice

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: The Swedish Gambling Act (2018) regulates online gambling in Sweden.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: TrustDice

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling in Switzerland is regulated by the Federal Gambling Act enacted in 2019.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling in the UK is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Check out our guide if you want to learn more about crypto casinos in the UK.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Bets.io

Is Online Gambling ILLEGAL? No
Do People Gamble: Yes
Description of Legal Status: Online gambling became legal in 2020 after an 11-year ban. Foreign operators face restrictions and can’t open casinos if they are in any way whatsoever connected to Russia.
Recommended Casino & Bookmaker: Coins.Game