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ADVOCACY

At the ECA, we aim to ensure an innovative and responsible land-based casino industry based on transparency and sustainability. The Association provides regulators and legislators with a focal point on casino matters and establishes a constructive dialogue with European and national policymakers and stakeholders. The ECA addresses issues related to casino operations and promotes their social and economic contribution to societies across Europe.

The ECA Manifesto

The ECA Manifesto, coinciding with the EU's new mandate (2024-2029), serves as a strategic blueprint for fostering collaboration between the licensed land-based casino industry and EU policymakers. This comprehensive document aligns the sector's objectives with the EU's broader vision, highlighting the European Casino Association's commitment to addressing key challenges facing the industry whilst supporting the Commission's priorities.

At its core, the Manifesto underscores the importance of working with EU policymakers to ensure a safe, regulated, and fair gambling environment. It revolves around three pivotal pillars: Support, Protect, and Promote. These pillars emphasise the ECA's dedication to tackling pressing issues such as combating illegal gambling, safeguarding consumer protection, and bolstering the EU's economic competitiveness.

The document advocates for effective measures to tackle illegal operators, prioritising consumer well-being and responsible gambling practices. It also accentuates the crucial role of the casino industry in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and making significant contributions to national GDPs. By pledging to enhance anti-money laundering efforts and promote economic development, the Manifesto positions the ECA as a proactive partner in achieving the EU's stated objectives.

Furthermore, the Manifesto demonstrates the industry's commitment to supporting local communities and advocating for a fair regulatory framework. This approach aligns seamlessly with the Commission's vision for a secure, prosperous, and competitive Europe. By outlining these commitments, the ECA aims to foster a collaborative relationship with the new EU Commission, ensuring that the licensed land-based casino sector plays a vital role in shaping a thriving and responsible gambling landscape across the European Union.

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POSITIONS

The ECA position papers are designed to communicate the views of its members on a wide range of critical topics for the sector.

Anti-money Laundering

POSITION PAPER Preventing money laundering in the licenced land-based casino industry

Status: December 2019
The licenced land-based casino industry is committed to combating money laundering in the most effective and efficient way. The members of the European Casino Association (ECA) are determined to take strong action to tackle the threat posed by money laundering and ensure compliance with the highest international standards and the applicable legislation. The ECA emphasises that it represents and supports a transparent gambling industry that makes concerted efforts to tackle any criminal…
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Europol Reform

The ECA position on the future of Europol

Status: January 2026
The European Casino Association (ECA) calls on the EU institutions to empower Europol with dedicated authority, resources, and partnerships to effectively combat illegal gambling and protect Europe from illegal operators. The issue Illegal gambling, both online and offline, poses significant challenges across the European Union (EU). These operations undermine consumer protection, evade regulatory oversight, and deprive the EU economy of legitimate revenues. More critically, they fuel…
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Illegal Gambling

POSITION PAPER Illegal Gambling Services

Status: December 2016
Illegal gambling is when gambling services or products are offered in a jurisdiction where this activity is not licenced or generally allowed. The European Casino Association (ECA) herein provides key considerations for a more effective approach towards illegal gambling services. The ECA aims to encourage stronger enforcement through increased cooperation between countries and with the support of the EU institutions and relevant international organisations. What problems are related to illegal…
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Use and effectiveness of enforcement measures against unlicensed gambling operators in Europe

One of the key aims of the European Casino Association (ECA) is to raise awareness of the growing issue of unlicensed provision of online gambling services and highlight the severity of this growing issue. While the Court of Justice of the European Union has repeatedly confirmed that Member States can set their own gambling policy within certain parameters, some online gambling providers are continuing to target countries in which they do not have a licence. It is estimated that up to 50 % of…
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Online Casino

Online Casino: a natural extension of the offline offer (click & mortar model)

Status: January 2025
The European Casino Association (ECA) calls on the EU institutions to fight online illegal gambling operators in synergies with the Member States. The issue With the Covid 19 crisis and its many health measures, the successive lockdowns put in place in most European countries have allowed an accelerated development of online gaming. Since then, more than half of the ECA members have taken advantage of this opportunity to provide their services both in their land-based casinos and online.As…
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Online Gambling

Guidelines for the Formation of the Future of Online Gambling in Europe

Status: February 2016
Online gambling is becoming an increasingly important channel for the distribution of games. Indeed, many European Casino Association (ECA) members take advantage of this highly dynamic technology for providing their services. Herein, the ECA would like to present a concise list of position statements and explanations in light of the current ongoing discussions relevant to debates on the future of online gambling at national, EU and global level. What is the regulatory status quo? With…
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Responsible gaming

POSITION PAPER: Responsible Gaming

Status: Updated
Responsible gaming is a term widely used in the gaming industry, even though there isn't a universally accepted definition. Much of the debate around gaming and the need to encourage responsible gaming stems primarily from concerns about problem gaming. Problem gaming is the form of gaming where gamers experience harm affecting themselves and their relatives. Therefore, most definitions of responsible gaming refer to the minimization of potential harm arising from gaming activities. The…
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Digital Fairness Act

The ECA position on the Digital Fairness Act

Status: last update April 2025
The ECA calls on the European Commission to ensure that the Digital Fairness Act includes enforceable provisions that protect consumer online by, on the one hand, empowering national authorities to block illegal gambling, and, on the other hand, dismantling the online infrastructure supporting illegal gambling advertising. The issue Illegal gambling Since the Covid-19 crisis, most European countries have allowed an accelerated development of online gaming. Legal land-based casinos expanded…
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Protection of minors online

Input from the ECA to the Guidelines on protection of minors online under the Digital Services Act

Status: last update: June 2025
The issue The European Casino Association (ECA) welcomes the opportunity to provide its input and recommendations, based on the decade-long experience in the gaming industry of its members, to the Digital Services Act (DSA) guidelines for online platforms to protect minors online.  This matter is of key relevance for the ECA, as minors and vulnerable consumers should be protected against illegal and non-age-appropriate content, including those related to gambling. The ECA on this…
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SUBMISSIONS / CONSULTATIONS

By providing expert input on the scope of upcoming EU legislation, the ECA ensures that European policymakers consider the views of ECA members when addressing industry-related issues and challenges.

Geoblocking

ECA Contribution to the Call for Evidence on the Evaluation of the Geo-Blocking Regulation

The European Casino Association (ECA) calls on the European Commission to keep the gaming sector excluded from the scope of the Geo-blocking Regulation and potential upcoming reviews of the legislation.

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European Internal Security Strategy

ECA Contribution to the European Internal Security Strategy’s call for evidence

The ECA calls on the European Commission to have a comprehensive strategy to combat illegal gambling as part of the broader Internal Security Strategy

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Cash Payment Restrictions

European Commission public consultation on EU initiative on restrictions on payments in cash

Response by the European Casino Association for the European Commission consultation on an "EU initiative on cash payment restrictions" (May 2017).

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Taxation

European Commission consultation on fair taxation of the digital economy

Response by the European Casino Association for the European Commission consultation (January 2017).

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Illegal Content Online

European Commission public consultation on measures to further improve the effectiveness of the fight against illegal content online

Response by the European Casino Association (June 2018).

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Online Gambling

Comments and Proposals for Amendments to Fox Report

On 25 March 2013, ECA submitted its comments and proposals for amendments to the European Parliament's IMCO draft report by MEP Ashley Fox on the Communication from the Commission: Towards a comprehensive European Framework for online gambling. In it, ECA stresses 1) that gambling ought not to be viewed as a normal economic activity, and 2) the need to fight against illegal online gambling.

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Joint Letter to Commissioner Barnier on Online Gambling Action Plan

The European Lotteries, ECA and the European Pari Mutuel Association have sent a joint letter to Commissioner Barnier in order to explain their common views about the Action Plan on Online Gambling adopted by the European Commission, 23 October 2012.

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ECA Reponse to the Green Paper on Online Gambling

ECA was happy to take advantage of the invitation for the public to respond to the EU Commission's Green Paper on Online Gambling in the Internal Market. The ECA was able to draw on its membership's wealth of experience and expertise in order to contribute to the informing of the EU Commission on such a new and booming sphere within the European gaming industry.

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Digital Omnibus

ECA contribution to the Digital Omnibus’ call for evidence (Digital Package on Simplification)

Status: last update: October 2025
The ECA welcomes the Digital Omnibus initiative as an opportunity to highlight how targeted simplification measures can help fight illegal online gambling across Europe by providing legal clarity, reducing administrative burdens and enhancing consumer protection. Tackling illegal gambling would bring about €20 billion in annual tax revenues in Europe.
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CAMPAIGNS

Through its campaigns, the ECA aims to raise awareness and provide information about the positive impact of the sector on society as well as to demonstrate the role played by licenced land-based casinos in tourism, entertainment and cultural heritage.

DID YOU KNOW?

The ‘Did You Know?’ campaign was launched in May 2019 on the ECA’s main social media platforms. Based on the figures and findings of the economic impact study of the industry in Europe, the campaign dispels some of the myths about the casino industry. It tackles several topics such as compliance, cultural heritage, anti-money laundering and the industry’s economic contribution to society through taxes and employment.

REOPENING OF CASINOS

When ECA member casinos began to reopen in May 2020 after the first wave of COVID-19, they populated the Association’s social media with beautiful pictures and optimistic messages.

SMILE BEHIND THE MASK

The ‘Smile Behind the Mask’ campaign was launched in September 2020 to show the enthusiasm of people employed in ECA member casinos, who actively participated by sending pictures of their smiling teams, albeit behind masks, accompanied by a statement of encouragement.