Europe’s online gambling market is entering a new phase.
Major betting companies are getting bigger, regulators are becoming more aggressive against offshore casinos, Austria is preparing a potentially game-changing licensing reform, and prediction markets are facing increasing scrutiny across Europe.
For casino players and sports bettors, these changes could affect everything from available brands and bonuses to payments and the platforms they can legally access.
Here are the biggest European gambling stories BonusScout is watching right now.
1. Lottomatica and CIRSA Are Creating a European Betting Giant
The biggest gambling story in Europe today comes from Italy and Spain.
Italian gambling group Lottomatica has agreed to acquire Spain’s CIRSA in an approximately €2.8 billion all-share deal.
If completed, the combination is expected to create the world’s second-largest publicly listed gaming and sports betting company, behind Flutter Entertainment. The combined business would have projected adjusted pro-forma EBITDA of around €2 billion.
For players, consolidation on this scale matters.
Europe’s gambling industry is increasingly being dominated by large groups capable of operating multiple casino and sportsbook brands across different regulated markets.
The deal also highlights just how valuable the Spanish and Italian gambling markets have become.
Completion is currently expected in the second quarter of 2027, subject to approvals.
2. Austria Could Become One of Europe’s Most Interesting Casino Markets
Austria is preparing one of the most significant gambling reforms in Europe.
The country submitted its proposed gambling legislation to the European Commission in August, triggering a three-month review period.
One of the biggest potential changes is a new open licensing system for online gambling.
If implemented, it could eventually allow more regulated operators to compete for Austrian players.
But greater competition would come with tighter controls.
The proposal also includes centralized self-exclusion, deposit controls and stronger measures against illegal gambling operators.
For players, Austria could therefore move toward a market with more regulated choice but stronger player-protection rules.
This is one of the European markets BonusScout would watch particularly closely heading into 2027.
3. Europe Is Getting Tougher on Offshore Casinos
Another major trend is becoming impossible to ignore.
European regulators increasingly want to prevent unauthorized casinos from reaching local players.
Italy provided a particularly strong example in August.
Italian regulator ADM ordered internet providers to block another 190 unauthorized gambling websites, with the restrictions taking effect by August 20.
Similar pressure is appearing elsewhere through website blocking, payment restrictions and enforcement against companies facilitating transactions with illegal operators.
The European Gaming and Betting Association has even called for stronger action against payment providers allegedly connected with illegal gambling transactions.
For players, this makes one distinction increasingly important:
A casino being accessible online does not necessarily mean it is licensed in your country.
Players should check local availability and licensing before depositing rather than relying simply on whether a website accepts registration.
4. Prediction Markets Are Becoming Europe’s Next Gambling Battle
Prediction markets have exploded in popularity globally.
Instead of traditional sports bets, users can trade on the outcome of elections, political events, economic developments and other real-world events.
But European gambling regulators increasingly view some of these products as gambling.
France has already taken action against Polymarket, and regulators across Europe are questioning whether prediction platforms can operate without traditional gambling authorization.
This could become one of the biggest gambling stories of 2026–2027.
Traditional sportsbooks are watching closely because prediction markets can compete for the same customers while operating under very different regulatory models.
For players, the important point is that a prediction platform available online isn't automatically authorized gambling in every European country.
5. AI Is Starting to Change Player Protection
There's another trend developing quietly behind the scenes.
Artificial intelligence and behavioral monitoring are becoming increasingly important in European gambling regulation.
A new European standard on markers of harm in gambling was published in 2026, providing a common framework for identifying potentially risky gambling behavior. Major EGBA members have committed to aligning their player-protection systems with the standard.
At the same time, parts of the EU AI Act's transparency framework became applicable in August 2026, creating additional considerations for gambling operators using AI-driven systems.
For players, this could eventually mean gambling platforms become considerably better at detecting unusual changes in deposits, playing frequency, losses and other behavioral patterns.
What Does This Mean for European Players?
The direction of the European gambling market is becoming clearer.
More regulation. More consolidation. More technology. And significantly more pressure on offshore operators.
Large gambling groups are expanding across borders while individual countries are becoming stricter about who can legally target their players.
That means casino and sportsbook comparisons are also changing.
A huge welcome bonus isn't enough.
Players increasingly need to consider licensing, local availability, withdrawal conditions, payment options and responsible-gambling protections before choosing where to play.
BonusScout Take
The most interesting European gambling story heading into 2027 may not be one particular casino or sportsbook.
It is the battle over who controls the player relationship.
Traditional betting giants are consolidating.
Governments want more players inside regulated markets.
Offshore casinos are facing stronger blocking and payment enforcement.
And prediction markets are challenging the traditional definition of sports and event betting.
The Lottomatica–CIRSA deal announced today is another sign of where the industry is heading: bigger regulated gambling groups competing across multiple European markets while regulators make it increasingly difficult for unauthorized operators to do the same.
For players, that could ultimately mean more competition between licensed brands — but fewer grey-market options.
And that makes 2026 one of the most important transition years European online gambling has seen in a long time.