The European Gaming and Betting Association completed its second annual assessment of anti-money laundering guidelines. The member operators pledge to collaborate closely and strengthen compliance guidelines to nurture a sustainable online gambling industry across Europe.
Focusing On EGBA’s AML Assessment
- The EGBA’s AML guidelines lay the foundation for operators to follow for risk evaluation, reporting suspicious activity, conducting due diligence, and documentation purposes.
- The 2nd annual review identified several areas for improvement, including risk assessment guidance, standardised documentation requirements, and updated protocols for third-party services, such as payment systems.
- The guidelines will undergo another round of assessment in 2026 to comply with the EU’s upcoming AML regulations. The EGBA plans to cooperate with the FATF to maintain greater oversight.
Second Annual AML Guideline Review Strengthens Compliance Across EU
Members of the EGBA successfully conducted the annual reporting and review process of the pan-EU AML guidelines. This marks a major milestone in the organisation’s commitment to strengthening anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regulations, reinforcing Europe’s iGaming industry.
The review is part of the EGBA’s broader effort to monitor, maintain, and strengthen AML laws across Europe’s online gambling sector. Introduced in March 2023, the pan-European AML guidelines outline the framework for operators to follow for risk assessment, reporting suspicious activity, and record-keeping.
The framework leverages a risk-based approach, aligning with standard AML practices prevalent throughout the European Union and recommended by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The guidelines also account for the iGaming industry’s evolving characteristics that regulators may rarely encounter.
Commenting on the successful review, Dr. Ekaterina Hartmann, the EGBA Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, said:
We’re pleased to have successfully concluded the second annual reporting of our AML guidelines. We thank our members for their continued dedication and support for this collaboration. Together, we aim to raise the bar for AML compliance standards throughout Europe and influence our peers to do the same through our actions. We encourage member operators to join the EGBA to strengthen the sector’s contribution toward fighting the vice of financial terrorism.
The Road Ahead for AML Compliance
The annual reporting helps the EGBA evaluate the effectiveness of the guidelines, identify areas for improvement, and suggest updates to address AML challenges. This is the second year of reviews since the original guidelines in 2023. Notable changes from the latest round of reviews include the recommendation for a minimum set of documents related to AML.
The EGBA also plans to improve guidelines on payments, risk assessment, outsourcing, and sports integrity. The guidelines are set for a comprehensive review again in 2026, aligning with the EU’s proposed AML alterations. Although the EGBA is leading the initiative, all industry stakeholders are being encouraged to participate.
One non-member operator has already joined, while several others have expressed a keen interest. The organisation has also sent out invitations to iGaming companies, including reputable casino software providers, urging them to participate in the process. EGBA member operators hold 321 online gambling licences between them and operate in 21 markets across Europe.
The member operators accounted for approximately 30% of the region’s online gaming revenue in 2024. The operators are responsible for acquiring licences on their own accord, fulfilling the regulators’ recommendations, and serving consumers in their respective domestic markets. The EGBA’s AML initiative closely coordinates with law enforcement agencies in Europe, along with the FATF.