Licensing and regulation of betting/gambling business
In many countries the regulation of betting companies is carried out by special government bodies responsible for controlling gambling activities. Here are some examples of such bodies:
United Kingdom
UK Gambling Commission
– The main regulator of gambling activities, including online bookmakers. It issues licenses and monitors compliance with betting and gambling legislation.
Germany
Gaming Authority of Schleswig-Holstein
– Until recently, it was the only body issuing licenses to betting operators in Germany. However, the federal regulatory system is currently undergoing reform, and powers may change.
France
ARJEL (Autorité de Régulation des Jeux en Ligne)
– The body regulating online gambling in France. It is responsible for issuing licenses to betting and casino operators.
Italy
AAMS (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli)
– An agency that regulates the gambling market in Italy, including online betting. It also deals with license issuance.
Spain
DGOJ (Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego)
– The general directorate for organizing gambling activities. This body is responsible for licensing and regulating all types of gambling, including sports betting.
Sweden
Spelinspektionen
– The Swedish gambling inspector, which began operating after a reform of the country's gaming market in 2019. The body issues licenses and ensures rules are followed.
Denmark
Spillemyndigheden
– The state body responsible for licensing and supervising the activities of bookmakers and other gaming operators.
Malta
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
– The Maltese gambling regulator. Malta is known for its liberal conditions for obtaining licenses, so many international operators choose this jurisdiction to operate in Europe.
Netherlands
Kansspelautoriteit (Netherlands Gaming Authority)
– The Dutch gambling regulator. Licenses and controls operators working within the Netherlands.
Poland
Ministerstwo Finansów (Ministry of Finance of Poland)
– Responsible for regulating gambling activities, including issuing licenses for sports betting.
Belgium
Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC)
– The Belgian gaming committee responsible for licensing and regulating gambling operators, including sports betting.
Czech
Republic Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic
– The ministry is responsible for regulating and licensing all forms of gambling, including bookmakers.
Finland
Veikkaus Oy
– A state-owned company that holds a monopoly in the Finnish gambling market. It manages all types of gambling activities, including sports betting.
Norway
Norwegian Gaming Authority (Lotteri- og stiftelsestilsynet)
– The Norwegian regulator for gambling, which licenses and oversees betting and lottery operators.
Portugal
Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos do Turismo de Portugal (SRIJ)
– The Portuguese body regulating gambling, including online bookmakers. SRIJ issues licenses and ensures compliance with legislation.
Romania
Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc (ONJN)
– The Romanian national office for gambling, which licenses and controls the activity of betting and casino operators.
Greece
Hellenic Gaming Commission (Ελληνική Επιτροπή Αζαρτίου)
– The Greek regulator for gambling, which licenses and supervises all forms of gambling, including bookmakers.
Hungary
National Tax and Customs Administration (NTCA) – The Hungarian tax and customs authority also regulates gambling and issues licenses for its operation.
Bulgaria
State Commission on Gambling
– The Bulgarian regulator for gambling, which licenses and controls the activity of betting companies.
Croatia
Ministarstvo financija Republike Hrvatske
– The Croatian Ministry of Finance, which is responsible for licensing and regulating gambling, including sports betting.
Slovakia
Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic
– The department that regulates and licenses gambling, including bookmaking activities.
Lithuania
Lithuanian Gaming Control Authority (Lietuvos lošimų priežiūros tarnyba)
– The Lithuanian regulator for gambling, which licenses and controls betting and casino operators.
Latvia
Latvijas Spēļu inspekcija
– The Latvian regulator for gambling, which licenses and controls the activity of betting companies.
Estonia
Estonian Tax and Customs Board (Eesti Maksu- ja Tolliamet)
– The Estonian tax and customs department, which also regulates gambling and issues licenses for its conduct.
Iceland
Icelandic Lottery and Gaming Authority (Íslensk getspáun)
– The Icelandic regulator for gambling, which licenses and controls the activity of bookmakers and casinos.
Luxembourg
Service Public de la Jeunesse, de l'Éducation Permanente et des Sports (SPJEPS)
– The Luxembourgish public service responsible for regulating gambling, including sports betting.
Cyprus
Cyprus National Betting Authority (Κυπριακή Εθνική Αρχή Στοιχημάτων)
– The Cypriot regulator for gambling, which licenses and controls betting companies.
These regulators control the activities of betting companies, monitor compliance with gambling laws, and protect players' interests.