EU Gambling Levy Left Out of Ireland’s Latest Budget Proposal

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Altay Celikkaya

Content Manager

Updated: 13/10/26

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union has excluded a proposed online gambling levy from its latest negotiating framework for the EU’s 2028–2034 budget. The revised proposal, circulated on 10 October 2026, identifies five potential revenue sources but does not mention an additional tax on online gambling operators.

The development follows months of opposition from gambling industry representatives and comes as European horseracing organisations seek exemptions from any future EU-wide levy. However, the omission does not mean the proposal has been permanently abandoned.

Irish and European Union flags overlooking Dublin, highlighting the exclusion of the proposed EU online gambling levy from Ireland’s latest budget framework.

Regulation & Compliance

Key Takeaways From the EU Gambling Levy Development

Ireland’s revised EU budget framework excludes the previously discussed online gambling levy.
The proposal identifies five alternative revenue sources worth approximately €55 billion annually.
European horseracing organisations welcomed the omission but continue seeking protection from additional taxation.
The European Parliament could still push for gambling-related revenue measures during negotiations.
Any new EU own resource requires unanimous approval from member states.

Ireland's Budget Proposal Leaves Out Gambling Tax

The Council of the European Union’s official negotiating document, published on 10 October, outlines five potential funding mechanisms. These include corporate contributions, tobacco-related revenue, electronic waste charges, emissions trading proceeds and carbon border adjustment revenues. The proposed list omits online gambling.

The Irish Presidency estimates the wider revenue package could generate about €55 billion annually, though member states remain divided over implementation. The development marks a new stage in negotiations after the European gambling industry previously opposed the proposed levy. However, the negotiating document remains provisional, with further discussions expected before any agreement is reached.

Horseracing Organisations Welcome the Decision

The European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) and European Trotting Union (UET) welcomed the omission in an official statement published on 11 October.

Both organisations previously urged Irish ministers to exclude horserace betting from any EU-wide gambling levy, arguing that additional taxation could undermine racing funding and encourage unlicensed betting.

EMHF Chief Executive Dr Paull Khan said:

But this threat has not gone away completely.

The organisations maintain that horseracing requires separate consideration because regulated betting provides essential financial support to the sector.

EU Gambling Tax Debate Remains Unresolved

The latest development follows earlier discussions about harmonising gambling taxation across Europe. Although the Irish proposal excludes the levy, the European Parliament has previously supported exploring gambling-related contributions to the EU budget.

The omission therefore represents a change in the current negotiating position rather than a final rejection. It also remains separate from national taxation policies, including Ireland’s consideration of higher betting duties.

What Happens Next for Operators?

EU leaders are expected to discuss the revised budget framework on 15–16 October, with negotiations continuing towards a potential agreement by the end of 2026. For licensed operators, the immediate development reduces the prospect of an additional EU-wide levy appearing in the current negotiating proposal.

However, companies operating across multiple European markets must continue monitoring both EU budget negotiations and national tax developments. The next stage will determine whether online gambling taxation remains outside the funding framework or returns as discussions progress.