Council of Europe plans stricter betting rules after 2026 World Cup

Following the FIFA World Cup 2026, the Council of Europe plans to tighten its grip on sports betting. The tournament, which concluded yesterday, July 19, was once again a significant driver for the international betting industry. Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 to win their second World Cup title. Meanwhile, the intensity of betting reached new levels. Officials are watching the developments with concern.

Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, expressed strong concerns before kickoff. He is particularly critical of betting on minor game events. This includes bets on every pass, every card, or every corner. This is also a form of gambling. The Council of Europe intends to take action here.

Numbers and facts

Alain Berset views the betting industry as "an open door to fraud." He noted that this World Cup has opened that door wider. For the first time, FIFA welcomed a prediction market as an official partner directly inside the stadiums. In May, FIFA partnered with ADI Predictstreet. This prediction platform is licensed in Gibraltar and built on the ADI Chain. The ADI Chain is a blockchain solution developed by the UAE-based ADI Foundation. As a partner, ADI Predictstreet branding was visible across stadiums during the World Cup. Later, Kalshi, a global prediction giant valued at 22 billion US dollars, also became a partner. Its brand presence was subsequently seen in stadiums as well.

Gibraltar is increasingly establishing itself as a hub for this emerging sector. The British Overseas Territory has already licensed two companies: ADI Predictstreet and more recently WagerWire. Just last week, Gibraltar became the first jurisdiction to launch a dedicated regulatory framework solely for predictions. However, this sector comes with many concerns about integrity, particularly regarding the political markets it offers. These concerns have clearly been taken on board by the Council of Europe in sports too. Berset called on FIFA to start a "third half" and "to build the integrity framework of the 2030 World Cup before it is played."

Background

The Council of Europe has previously taken action against illicit gambling. Alain Berset's assessment of the industry is highly critical. He also pointed to political influence during the tournament. This alluded to a call from US President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding Folarin Balogun's red card. This would have excluded Balogun from the host nation's game against Belgium, which they later lost 4-1. Politics aside, the betting industry should take Berset's words seriously.

“Betting has moved from the result of a match to moments a single player can produce without changing the score. It is an open door to fraud. And this World Cup has opened the door wider.” - Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

The Council of Europe is an international body separate from the European Union. Its task is to uphold the European rule of law. The most notable action taken by the Council of Europe on sports betting was the adoption in 2019 of the Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, best known as the Macolin Convention. 43 states have since adopted the convention. It is widely considered one of the most watertight regulatory frameworks for preventing match manipulation and protecting sporting integrity. With the final whistle of the 2026 World Cup having sounded, Berset now wants the Council of Europe and others to "open the third half and the urgent work of strengthening the integrity of sport."

Why it matters for German players

For German players, this development signifies a continued strengthening of player protection and integrity in sports betting. The Gambling State Treaty 2021 (GlüStV 2021) has already established strict rules in Germany. These include a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros, monitored by the central exclusion system LUGAS. The 1 euro per spin stake limit on online slots is also part of this. These existing measures aim to prevent gambling addiction. Providers on the whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) are bound by these regulations. They offer a regulated and secure gaming environment.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For GGL-licensed casinos and sports betting providers in Germany, the Council of Europe's plans may entail further adjustments. The strict rules of the GlüStV 2021 have already set a high bar. However, deepening international cooperation within the framework of the Macolin Convention could lead to harmonized standards. This concerns, for example, the prevention of match-fixing across Europe. German providers are already well-positioned, as they must comply with strict compliance regulations. They are subject to supervision by LUGAS.

It is conceivable that future regulations will place an even stronger focus on monitoring micro-bets. These are bets on very specific events within a game. For GGL casinos, this means further optimizing their internal control systems. They must be able to react quickly to new requirements. Closer cooperation between supervisory authorities could also improve the exchange of information on unusual betting patterns. This would serve the credibility of sports. Thus, providers could not only maintain their own integrity but also contribute to the security of the entire market. Swindlers would then have an even harder time.