EU iGaming Trends: Tax Hikes, Massive Blacklisting, and Evolution Takeover Bid

The European gambling landscape is currently undergoing a period of profound transformation, encompassing both regulatory hardships and massive financial shifts. In mid-August 2026, it is becoming clear how strongly state interventions can influence the profit margins of established providers. In particular, the increase in the British Remote Gaming Duty from 21 percent to 40 percent on April 1, 2026, is leaving deep scars in the current quarterly reports. Companies must now find ways to offset this enormous tax burden through cost savings in marketing or efficiency gains, while the fight against illegal providers simultaneously gains intensity.

In Italy and Romania, authorities are relying on technical barriers. The Italian ADM has ordered the blocking of a further 190 websites, with connectivity providers having until August 20 to complete redirections to official notice pages. Meanwhile, Romania reports a record blow against the black market. The ONJN added around 800 domains to the national blacklist, representing more than a doubling of the previous record. These measures underscore the growing pressure on unlicensed operators who often try to bypass blocks through cloning systems.

Numbers and facts

The current financial results clarify the situation. Entain reported a Net Gaming Revenue (NGR) of 2,545.3 million pounds for the first half of the year, an increase of 5 percent. Nevertheless, the company had to set aside a provision of 100 million Euros for civil claims from the German online casino market. Evoke, formerly known as 888, saw its gaming duties rise by 46 million pounds to a total of 233.4 million pounds. Rank Group reported that the tax change alone cost 10.1 million pounds of underlying operating profit.

A bombshell occurred on August 13, 2026, through Candle Lake Limited. The Cayman Islands-based company owned by Kenneth Dart issued a mandatory bid for Evolution AB. After Dart increased his stake to 30.02 percent, he was legally required to bid for the remaining shares. The offered price of 695 SEK per share values Evolution at approximately 131.7 billion SEK. Interestingly, Candle Lake stated directly that there was no intention to actually acquire the company in full. However, if the holding were to rise above 90 percent, a squeeze-out and delisting from Nasdaq Stockholm would follow.

Background

The conflict between state regulation and market freedom is intensifying. Romanian ONJN President Vlad-Cristian Soare pointed out that over 70 percent of the European online gambling market consists of actors active on the black market. He emphasized the need for automated tools to detect clone sites, as manual verification is hardly possible due to staffing shortages and budget constraints. IT specialists are difficult to find for a net salary of approximately 6,000 lei per month.

"The Offer is, however, not motivated by any intention to acquire all outstanding shares in Evolution." - Kenneth Dart, Owner of Candle Lake Limited

In Scotland, a more positive aspect of regulation is emerging. Glasgow City Council has presented plans on how an allocation of 3.44 million pounds from the UK gambling levy will be used over three years. This will fund prevention teams, education projects in schools, and support for those affected. This is one of the first examples of funds from the industry flowing directly into local social projects.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, this development primarily means one thing: the legal, regulated market is becoming increasingly separated from the black market. Entain's provisions of 100 million Euros show that legal disputes over losses at unlicensed providers remain a major topic. Those who play at providers listed on the whitelist of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) are protected by the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021. This includes the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 Euros via the LUGAS system and the stake limit of 1 Euro per spin on virtual slot machines.

The massive blockages in Italy and Romania could serve as a blueprint for Germany if the GGL further intensifies its efforts against illegal secondary lotteries and casino sites. German customers should ensure they only deposit with providers with a German license to avoid the risk of funds becoming inaccessible due to sudden domain blocks or legal complications of the operators. The stability of the regulated market is essential for player protection.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Casinos with a German GGL license benefit indirectly from the weakening of the black market in other EU countries, as this increases the pressure on the entire industry to submit to legal frameworks. However, the financial reports from Entain and Rank clarify that high taxes and strict rules erode profits. GGL-licensed providers must prove that they can remain competitive despite the 1-Euro limit and the 5.3 percent stake tax (in Germany), while international giants like Evolution navigate through takeover bids and market consolidations.