The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has submitted evidence to the European Commission, highlighting the rise of fraudulent gambling websites and illegal apps. The submission aims to address the growing issue of online gambling fraud, which poses risks to consumers and legitimate operators across Europe.
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has officially submitted a detailed report to the European Commission as part of its initiative to combat online fraud. This submission specifically addresses the alarming trend of websites impersonating legitimate gambling operators, such as 888 and Flutter Entertainment’s Tombola, which are misleading European consumers and contributing to the expansion of the illegal gambling market.
The EGBA's evidence highlights a concerning array of gaming applications available on the Spanish version of the App Store. While the association remains uncertain whether these apps engage in real-money gaming, it emphasizes that none are licensed by Spain's DGOJ regulatory body. This raises significant concerns regarding consumer safety and the integrity of the gambling market.
Dr. Ekaterina Hartmann, the EGBA's director of legal and regulatory affairs, spearheaded the evidence collection. She pointed out,
The data we’ve compiled illustrates how fraudsters are taking advantage of the trust consumers have in licensed operators, thereby endangering European consumers and enabling the illegal online gambling market's growth.
Dr. Hartmann stressed that fragmented national strategies are inadequate.
We require coordinated action at the EU level to ensure consumers and legitimate operators are not left to fend for themselves against fraud.
The European Commission's Action Plan on Fighting Online Fraud is expected to roll out in the second quarter of the year, targeting the reduction of online fraud across various sectors, including gambling.
Last summer, executives from major operators like Evoke and Flutter, along with other industry leaders, jointly expressed their concerns in a letter through the EGBA. They advocated for a "smarter, more balanced" regulatory framework across Europe, warning that the current regulatory approach is jeopardized by unregulated operators thriving outside EU jurisdictions.
These unlicensed entities not only evade taxes but also pose a significant threat to the integrity of the gambling landscape in Europe. As the industry grapples with these challenges, the call for a unified regulatory strategy has never been more urgent.
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