EGBA completes second annual AML guidelines reporting process

Members of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) have completed the second annual reporting cycle for its pan-European Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Guidelines.

The process is part of EGBA’s ongoing initiative to monitor, maintain, and strengthen AML practices tailored to the online gambling industry.

Sector-specific AML framework

Introduced in March 2023, the AML Guidelines provide operators with sector-specific guidance on risk assessments, customer due diligence, suspicious transaction reporting, and record keeping.

The framework adopts a risk-based approach and is aligned with standards from the European Union and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). It also takes into account online gambling sector characteristics that regulators may not routinely encounter.

EGBA’s Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Dr. Ekaterina Hartmann, said: “We’re pleased to have completed the second annual reporting process and want to thank our members for their dedication to this collaborative initiative.

"Together, we’re aiming to raise the bar for AML compliance standards across our members and, by example, influence other operators across the industry to do the same. We encourage operators who aren’t members of EGBA to join this initiative and help strengthen the sector’s contribution to the fight against financial crime.”

Review and next steps

The annual reporting process is designed to help EGBA evaluate the effectiveness of the guidelines and determine where updates may be necessary to address new AML challenges. Feedback from this year’s review includes suggestions to add a minimum set of AML-related documents and enhance guidance on payments, outsourcing, risk assessments, and sports integrity.

The guidelines are scheduled for a comprehensive update in 2026, aligning them with the upcoming EU Anti-Money Laundering Regulation. Although the initiative is led by EGBA members, participation is not limited to them. One non-member operator has already joined, and the association is inviting additional companies to take part in the process.

EGBA members collectively hold 321 online gambling licenses and operate in 21 European markets, accounting for approximately 30% of the region’s online gross gaming revenue in 2024. These operators are subject to individual licensing compliance requirements and serve more than 30 million customers.

The AML initiative is part of EGBA’s regulatory activities in Europe, which include collaboration with national and EU-level authorities.