EU Weighs Online Gambling Tax for 2028 Budget Expansion
European Commissioner Piotr Serafin confirmed that Brussels is reviewing a possible EU-wide tax on online gambling as part of the bloc’s next long-term budget plans. The discussion took place in the European Parliament during talks about new EU funding sources ahead of the next financial cycle starting after 2027.
The proposal is still at an early stage, but the message from Brussels is already clear: online gambling is now being viewed as a sector that could help finance wider EU priorities. Those include defence spending, industrial competitiveness, energy projects, and continued support for Ukraine.
Serafin said the European Commission is studying several new funding options proposed by Parliament. Alongside online gambling, the list also includes possible taxes linked to digital companies and cryptocurrencies. He added that Brussels wants any new system to generate stable revenue without creating excessive pressure on businesses.
The European Commission wants any new funding system ready by January 2028 or soon after. Brussels still has not explained how the gambling tax would work or how much companies could pay, but operators are already watching the discussion closely. Many gambling firms across Europe already face high taxes and growing compliance costs. Another EU-level charge would add more pressure on budgets and margins, especially for smaller operators.
The impact would likely spread beyond operators themselves. Affiliates could see lower acquisition budgets and smaller CPA deals if operators start cutting marketing costs. Payment companies may also come under closer scrutiny if Brussels decides transaction monitoring should play a role in tax enforcement.
💡 TGJ Take
This is less about gambling policy and more about money. Brussels is looking for new ways to fund the EU budget, and online gambling is now on that list alongside tech and crypto. Big operators will probably manage another reporting or tax layer, but smaller companies may struggle if costs keep rising across Europe. Affiliates should watch this closely, too, because operators under margin pressure usually reduce marketing spend first.
