Betting in Europe Guide (UK, Germany, Spain, Italy and More)

Betting in Europe is regulated country by country, so the rules on licensing, bonuses, deposit limits and self-exclusion depend on where you live. Most major markets now require bookmakers to hold a national licence and connect to a national self-exclusion scheme, and several have introduced tight rules on bonuses and advertising. This guide summarises how betting in Europe works in the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and Ireland.

How betting in Europe is regulated

There is no single European licence that lets a bookmaker serve customers everywhere. Each country sets its own framework, and most now follow a similar pattern:

• A national regulator that licenses operators and enforces rules
• Local licensing for any bookmaker serving residents
• National self-exclusion registers that all licensed operators must check
• Player protection rules, such as deposit limits, identity checks and advertising restrictions
• Taxes on operators' revenue or, in some countries, on stakes

The minimum betting age is 18 in all the markets covered below. Using a bookmaker without a local licence usually means you lose access to these protections.

United Kingdom

The UK market is regulated by the Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act 2005. It is one of the most mature and closely supervised betting markets in the world. Key rules include:

• GAMSTOP. All online operators licensed in Great Britain must be part of GAMSTOP, the free national online self-exclusion scheme. One registration blocks you from every participating site for the period you choose.
• Credit card ban. Since April 2020, UK-licensed operators cannot accept credit cards for gambling. Debit cards, bank transfers and many e-wallets remain available.
• Wagering cap. From January 2026, wagering requirements on bonuses are capped at 10x, alongside other restrictions on how promotions can be combined.
• Safer gambling duties. Operators must monitor for signs of harm and carry out checks where appropriate.

UK bookmakers traditionally use fractional odds, though decimal is widely available. Compare licensed operators on our UK betting sites page.

Germany

Germany's market has been regulated under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (Glücksspielstaatsvertrag), with the joint federal states' authority, the GGL (Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder), responsible for national online licensing and supervision. Key features:

• 5.3% betting tax. Sports bets are taxed at 5.3% of the stake. Some bookmakers absorb this; others pass it on by deducting it from stakes or winnings, so check the terms.
• OASIS. The nationwide self-exclusion system covers licensed operators, including sports betting.
• Monthly deposit limit. A default €1,000 cross-operator monthly deposit limit applies, tracked centrally across all licensed operators. Higher limits are possible only under specific conditions.
• In-play restrictions. Live betting is limited to a narrower range of markets than in many other countries.

Look for a GGL licence before signing up. Our German betting sites page lists licensed bookmakers.

Spain

Spain's online gambling is regulated by the DGOJ (Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego). Operators need a Spanish licence and must connect to the national self-exclusion register (RGIAJ). Spain has introduced strict rules on gambling advertising and on how welcome bonuses can be promoted, though some measures have been revised following court challenges. Licensed sites usually use a ".es" domain.

Italy

Italy's market is supervised by the ADM (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli). Operators must hold an Italian concession and connect to the national self-exclusion register. Italy has one of Europe's strictest gambling advertising regimes and has been reorganising its online licensing system, so check the ADM's list of authorised operators before signing up.

Netherlands

The Netherlands opened a regulated online market in October 2021 under the Remote Gambling Act (Wet Kansspelen op afstand, or Koa). The regulator is the KSA (Kansspelautoriteit). Key points:

• CRUKS. Licensed operators must check the national self-exclusion register, CRUKS, before letting customers play.
• Advertising limits. Untargeted advertising has been heavily restricted.
• Extra protection for young adults. Rules on deposit limits and duty of care are tighter for younger players.

Sweden

Sweden has had a licensing system since 2019, overseen by Spelinspektionen, the Swedish Gambling Authority. Two rules stand out:

• One bonus only. Licensed operators may offer a bonus only the first time a customer plays with them. Ongoing reload bonuses and repeat free bets are not permitted.
• Spelpaus. The national self-exclusion register, Spelpaus.se, blocks registered users from all licensed operators.

Players must also set deposit limits when they register.

Ireland

Ireland has modernised its gambling laws with the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, which created a new regulator, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). The authority is phasing in a new licensing regime, a national self-exclusion register and stricter advertising rules. Because the new system is being introduced in stages, check the GRAI's website for the latest requirements.

Quick comparison

Regulations change frequently. Treat this table as a starting point and check the regulator's website for current rules.

Getting better value as a European bettor

• Compare odds. European bookmakers often price the same match differently. Our odds comparison pages show prices side by side.
• Read bonus terms carefully. Rules vary so much by country that the same brand may offer very different promotions in each market. See betting bonuses explained and our bonuses page.
• Factor in tax. In Germany, check whether the 5.3% tax is deducted from your stake or winnings.
• Check margins. Our margin calculator shows how much each bookmaker builds into its odds.
• Use reputable operators. Our bookmaker reviews, including bet365, explain licensing and features.

Bet responsibly

Every European regulator requires licensed bookmakers to provide limits, time-outs and self-exclusion, and national schemes such as GAMSTOP, OASIS, CRUKS and Spelpaus let you block yourself from all licensed sites at once. You must be 18 or over to bet. Visit our responsible gambling page for support.