EU gambling ads ban could help black market, warns Malta MEP
As discussions and debates about the possible introduction of further online gambling advertising restrictions within the EU are ongoing, Peter Agius, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing Malta from the Nationalist Party, spoke about concerns that the introduction of a gambling advertisements ban may push consumers towards the illegal gambling market.
Maltese MEP speaks out against potential EU online gaming ads ban
In a post on LinkedIn where he detailed his intervention in the EU Parliament where a petition calling for a ban on online gaming advertising was being discussed, Agius remarked that he believes protecting minors and preventing addiction must remain a priority, but EU lawmakers must also carefully consider whether prohibiting advertising would truly achieve those objectives.
Agius said that the European Commission has confirmed that “gaming remains largely a national competence, while existing EU rules already prohibit misleading and aggressive advertising”.
He continued that new initiatives such as the Digital Fairness Act “will further strengthen online consumer protection” but will not specifically regulate online gaming.
With that in mind, Agius said that he has expressed his concern that “excessive business restrictions normally push consumers towards illegal and unregulated operators”.
Growing concerns over black market illegal operators
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), generally focused on the UK’s gambling and betting industry, has similarly regularly spoken out about the need for lawmakers, regulators, and the industry as a whole to put a greater emphasis on directly combating illegal operators rather than imposing further restrictions on regulated businesses.
Agius said that, in some EU member states, “black market online gaming already accounts for around 70 per cent of the sector”. He commented that illegal operators in the black market are not bound by consumer protection rules and are also more likely to target vulnerable individuals.
Furthermore, he said that such illegal operators are frequently linked to higher rates of addiction, as he cited research by the French Gambling Authority (ANJ), which he said shows that 66 per cent of illegal gambling activity is associated with addiction problems.
Agius affirmed that a regulated and licensed market offers stronger safeguards, including through factors such as age verification, responsible gaming measures, and systems set up to identify problematic behaviour.
Referring to a prior European Commission 2014 recommendation, Agius said that gambling advertising can help direct consumers towards authorised and supervised operators while also providing information about the risks involved.
“Our goal should be clear,” the Maltese MEP remarked. “Protect minors, promote addiction safeguards, and strengthen consumer protection by supporting a responsible and regulated market, not by driving consumers towards illegal alternatives.”
Prior statements made by Malta’s Prime Minister and another MEP
In May, another Maltese MEP from the Nationalist Party had made a statement in which he said that a Maltese government led by the party would veto any EU-level online gaming tax without hesitation.
David Casa, who had made the statement, did so ahead of Malta’s general election, which later took place and resulted in the incumbent Labour Party remaining in government.
Prime Minister Robert Abela, the leader of the Labour Party, has expressed that Malta is firmly opposed to such EU-wide taxes. Both parties have maintained a positive attitude towards Malta’s iGaming industry and its economic impact on the country.
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