EU AML Package Unifies Anti-Money Laundering Rules for Gambling Operators from 2027

The European Union has taken a significant step towards unifying anti-money laundering efforts. A new Anti-Money Laundering (AML) package will come into force on July 10, 2027, subjecting gambling operators to a common set of compliance rules. This applies to both physical venues and online offerings for lotteries, casino games, poker, and betting.

While there is still no single gambling law in Europe, this package aims to reduce fragmentation in anti-money laundering prevention. Gambling operators will remain classified as obliged entities. This will have far-reaching effects on the operational processes of the entire industry.

Numbers and facts

The new EU framework for combating money laundering (AML/CFT) transforms existing directives into directly applicable regulations across all member states, known as the AMLR. This regulation will apply from July 10, 2027. It defines gambling services for EU AML/CFT purposes, covering lotteries, casino games, poker, and betting offered at physical locations or remotely. Gambling providers must apply customer due diligence when a player collects winnings, places a stake, or does both in transactions amounting to at least €2,000. This threshold can be reached through one operation or several linked transactions.

Member states may grant full or partial exemptions to gambling services that present a proven low money-laundering risk. However, this generally does not apply to casinos and operators whose principal activity is online gambling or sports betting. Limited exceptions remain possible for state-operated online gambling or services whose organisation and administration are regulated by the state. Proposed exemptions must also be approved by the European Commission.

Directive (EU) 2024/1640 requires member states to ensure that all gambling service providers are regulated. National restrictions must pursue a general-interest objective, be non-discriminatory, and remain proportionate to that objective. Victor Negrescu, Vice President of the European Parliament, proposed in 2026 a coordinated European tax on online gambling operators. This proposal envisions a 1% levy on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), which could raise between €2 billion and €4 billion annually, potentially generating €28 billion over the lifetime of the EU's long-term budget. These funds would support education and youth policies, as well as addiction treatment programs.

Background

The AML package creates dual regulation: AML regulations are increasingly standardized, while market access remains fragmented nationally. This means that a company can follow the single rule for financial crime but still be subject to different licensing requirements in Germany, Austria, Malta, and elsewhere. This split is also visible in the dispute over Malta's restrictions on the enforcement of judgments issued in other EU member states against Malta-licensed gaming companies. The Commission opened an infringement procedure against Malta in June 2025.

The new Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) will also play a central role. Although the AMLA directly supervises selected high-risk credit and financial institutions – not gambling firms – its decisions could still affect operators via payment processors and banking institutions. These financial institutions selected for direct AMLA supervision will face EU-level reviews of their AML controls. This could lead to closer checks on gambling clients, stricter transaction monitoring, and reviews of operators’ licensing exposure, especially where activity crosses several national markets.

Dr. Wulf Hambach, Managing Partner at Hambach & Hambach, notes that regulators are already exchanging experiences more intensively, but national authorities remain cautious in fully importing foreign standards. He states:

“European experience across regulated industries shows that regulatory harmonisation rarely succeeds through top-down political acts.” - Dr. Wulf Hambach, Managing Partner at Hambach & Hambach

According to Hambach, the proposal for an EU-wide gambling tax was also misleadingly framed: “This has nothing to do with harmonisation. It’s just an additional way to collect more money from a specific sector.” He warns that excessive taxation could strengthen the black market, as has already happened in Germany due to the very high taxation of online slots and poker.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, these developments mean further strengthening of consumer protection and security in online gambling. The Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) has already established strict rules for licensed providers in Germany. Casinos with a license from the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) must adhere to guidelines such as the €1 stake limit per spin for slot machines and the monthly deposit limit of €1,000. The LUGAS (Cross-State Gambling Supervision System) monitors player-wide limits and protects players from excessive gambling behavior.

The new EU rules on anti-money laundering complement these national measures. They enforce an even more thorough review of financial transactions by gambling providers. In turn, this means that even GGL-licensed casinos must further optimize their processes for player identification and monitoring of money flows. However, for players who adhere to the rules, little will change in everyday life, except that the security of their deposits and withdrawals will be further enhanced. The focus remains on protection against illegal activities and promoting responsible gaming.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For GGL-licensed casinos, the new EU regulations mean an adaptation of their compliance systems. They must ensure that their internal procedures comply with the extended due diligence obligations from 2027. This primarily includes the precise monitoring of transactions from €2,000, whether through individual transactions or through several linked operations.

The harmonized EU regulations could potentially reduce the administrative burden for GGL casinos active in other EU countries, as they can rely on uniform standards for anti-money laundering. At the same time, national licensing requirements remain in place, emphasizing the need for flexible systems that can cover both EU-wide compliance and country-specific regulations. Financial institutions working with these casinos will scrutinize more closely, which will indirectly increase pressure on gambling providers to fully implement their AML controls. Ultimately, this promotes a more transparent and secure environment in online gambling, in line with the goals of the GlüStV 2021.