As the FIFA World Cup approaches, European gambling authorities are adapting their regulatory strategies. Recent years saw a focus primarily on limiting gambling-related harm and excessive advertising. This year, however, regulators in France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom are also highlighting the risks posed by unlicensed and offshore betting operators.
According to industry experts and regulatory bodies, this shift does not mean that player protection has become less important. Instead, it reflects a growing recognition that keeping players engaged with regulated, compliant operators is essential for effective consumer safeguards.
Why Channelisation Now Sits at the Heart of Regulation
Historically, regulatory attention centered on licensed operators, where oversight, data collection, and compliance enforcement were possible. The visible risks of problem gambling appeared to reside within the regulated sector, allowing for intervention and policy evaluation.
Today, regulators are increasingly concerned about the “systemic” risks presented by non-regulated gambling platforms. Ismail Vali, president of Gaming Compliance International (GCI), points out that while player protection remains crucial, the industry’s understanding of risk has evolved to encompass threats beyond the legal market.
Tools like self-exclusion programs and affordability checks are only effective if consumers stay within regulated operators. When bettors migrate to non-compliant platforms, these protections lose their impact, raising the stakes for regulators tasked with safeguarding vulnerable groups.
The Dutch and French Approaches to Consumer Protection
The Netherlands provides a clear example of this regulatory evolution. The Dutch government has introduced stricter player protection measures and granted its regulator, Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), more authority to address unlicensed gambling. While tougher rules can sometimes drive consumers away from legal markets, KSA sees increased enforcement against non-compliant operators as essential to maintaining the integrity of the regulated sector.
“The illegal and legal market are communicating vessels,” a KSA spokesperson explained to iGamingBusiness. “When strengthening player protections, it is likely some players will drift away from the legal to illegal offering. To contain this, it is necessary to battle the illegal market even harder and more effectively.”
In France, the regulator l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) has long prioritized channelisation, maintaining high rates of players engaging with regulated sites through website and payment blocking. ANJ reports that its anti-black market initiatives are paired with ongoing efforts to improve responsible gambling messaging and limit excessive advertising, particularly during high-profile events like the World Cup.
Technology and the Changing Regulatory Landscape
Technological advancements have made offshore and non-regulated betting platforms more accessible and harder to distinguish from licensed operators. This presents new challenges for regulators aiming to ensure safe gaming environments.
Both ANJ and KSA confirm that player protection and anti-black market efforts must progress together. As ANJ notes, “the fight against the illegal offer has always been a priority since the beginning of gambling regulation in France.” The regulator’s latest initiatives include monitoring marketing spend, collaborating with operators to limit tournament-related promotions, and launching responsible gambling campaigns such as “Zone à risques.”
The Role of Awareness Campaigns and Advertising Oversight
With youth participation and first-time bettors on the rise during events like the World Cup, regulators are also increasing supervision of advertising by both licensed and non-compliant operators. This dual approach aims to both protect consumers and prevent migration to offshore platforms lacking responsible gambling tools.
Conclusion: A Unified Focus on Market Integrity
European gambling regulators are no longer treating player protection and tackling unlicensed operators as competing goals. Instead, these priorities have become interconnected, with channelisation now central to effective regulation. Authorities in France, the Netherlands, and the UK are reinforcing their commitment to keeping consumers safe by ensuring they remain within regulated markets, especially during high-profile sporting events.
For further details on regulatory strategies, consult the official sites for ANJ and KSA.