AI Job Threat: MEP Urges Gambling Operators to Value Human Staff Over Algorithms

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is causing significant unrest within the European gambling industry. While technological innovations such as automated customer support and AI-generated code are intended to increase efficiency, concerns regarding the job security of thousands of employees are growing. Amidst this period of upheaval, a prominent political voice has now spoken out. David Casa, Malta's longest-serving member of the European Parliament, issued an urgent appeal to online casino and sports betting operators at the SiGMA World conference in Rome. He demands that the human factor must not be sacrificed to the algorithm.

Casa, a member of the Nationalist Party and the EPP group, emphasized that reports of layoffs due to AI implementations deserve the full attention of policymakers. While he acknowledges the potential of the technology, such as in fraud detection or time-saving measures, he warns of the social consequences of ruthless automation. For the MEP, it is clear that behind every job stands a person, a family, and a life plan. The industry must ask itself whether it is simply replacing the people who made its success possible with software.

Numbers and facts

The reality in the industry already paints a clear picture of change. In May, Gambling.com Group announced that it would reduce its workforce by 25 percent as part of an AI-led restructuring. This equates to approximately 150 employees and is expected to generate annual savings of 13 million US dollars. Kevin McCrystle, the company's incoming CEO, told investors that 80 percent of the firm's new code is already generated by AI. The shift to AI-first principles allows for a restructuring of teams that promises substantial cost advantages.

Industry giants like Flutter are also affected, although various factors are at play here. Flutter announced the cutting of up to 1,400 roles across its UK and Ireland division. Affected locations include Leeds, Dublin, and offshore hubs in Porto and Cluj-Napoca. While the company primarily blames sharp increases in remote gambling taxes in the UK, analysts like Ollie Woodward from BDO Corporate Finance also see AI as a driving force. Particularly in the areas of coding, customer support, and CRM (Customer Relationship Management), automation is fundamentally changing team structures.

"A tool may help you work faster, but an experienced team knows when something has gone wrong, when a player needs help and when a decision needs a human choice and a human voice." - David Casa, Member of the European Parliament

Background

Another example is provided by the platform provider Cubeia, based in Stockholm. The company has set a target to have all new code for features and releases written by AI by August. Stefan Grenstad, the Chief Operating Officer, reported that during a salary review, it was noted that developers using AI were significantly more productive. Two or three developers delivered almost 60 percent of the results. Grenstad views this transition as a necessity for competitive survival, even though he emphasizes that it is not primarily about headcount reduction.

In Malta, one of the industry's most important hubs, the effects are already tangible. A former designer told the Times of Malta that he lost his job after training an AI system that management believed could replace half the team. The organization GamingMalta disputes reports of widespread layoffs, speaking instead of a redeployment of talent. Nevertheless, a December 2025 survey by Resume.org of 1,000 US hiring managers shows that 59 percent use AI as a reason for layoffs because it resonates better with stakeholders than purely financial constraints.

Why it matters for German players

For German players active exclusively with providers licensed by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), this development is particularly relevant. The State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) places extremely high value on player protection. This includes the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros and the stake limit of 1 euro per spin on virtual slot machines. These systems are already monitored today by technical solutions like LUGAS. However, if human employees in customer service or player protection departments are replaced by AI, the quality of individual care could suffer. While an algorithm recognizes patterns, it cannot yet fully replace human empathy in cases of gambling addiction. German players should ensure that their chosen provider continues to offer accessible human contacts, as required by the strict GGL mandates.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Casinos with a GGL license face the challenge of reconciling cost pressure through AI efficiency with strict German regulations. While international providers like Gambling.com are cutting staff massively, German licensees must ensure that their social concepts do not become a mere formality. The GGL whitelist offers players the security that companies are being monitored. If firms dismiss their experienced teams, they risk losing the fine nuances of addiction prevention that are crucial for maintaining a license in Germany. David Casa also called for stronger common standards in Europe so that licensed operators do not bear the full cost of compliance while illegal sites reach the same players without fear of enforcement.