Key points
- There is no single EU casino licence. Each country decides whether, and by whom, online casinos may be offered to its residents.
- A licence from Malta, Curaçao or another country does not make an operator legal in a country that requires its own licence.
- Several countries block unlicensed sites or payments, and some fine players.
- Use the national regulator's register to check an operator before you play.
Why "European casino" is not a legal category
EU law does not create a single market for online gambling. Member states and EEA countries set their own rules, within limits set by EU courts. In practice, each country chooses one of three broad models:
- Licensing. Private operators can apply for a national licence. Examples are Denmark, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
- Monopoly or exclusive rights. Norway gives exclusive rights to the state operator. Finland does too until its new licensing system starts on 1 July 2027.
- Restricted products. Some countries license only certain game types online, or apply strict product rules such as stake limits.
Germany's consumer centre puts it plainly for German residents: licences issued in other EU states, such as Malta or Cyprus, are not valid in Germany.
Country guides at a glance
| Country | Regulator | Online casino model | Self-exclusion | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | Ministry of Finance | Licensing; list of unauthorised internet games blocked by ISPs | Register of excluded persons | Czech Republic |
| Denmark | Spillemyndigheden | Licensing | ROFUS | Denmark |
| Estonia | Tax and Customs Board (EMTA) | Licensing with remote-gambling permits; minimum age 21 | List of persons with a gambling restriction | Estonia |
| Finland | National Police Board, then the Finnish Supervisory Agency from 1 July 2027 | Veikkaus monopoly until licensing opens on 1 July 2027 | Operator tools now; national rules under the new Act | Finland |
| Germany | GGL (Joint Gaming Authority of the Federal States) | Licensing; white list; €1,000 monthly cross-provider deposit limit as a rule | OASIS | Germany |
| Latvia | State Revenue Service (VID) | Licensing; players can be fined for unlicensed play | Register of self-excluded persons | Latvia |
| Lithuania | Gaming Control Authority (LPT) | Licensing; illegal sites blocked | Register of persons restricted from gaming | Lithuania |
| Norway | Lotteritilsynet | Exclusive rights (Norsk Tipping); DNS blocking since 2025 | Through the licensed operators | Norway |
| Portugal | SRIJ (Turismo de Portugal) | Licensing | Self-exclusion via SRIJ | Portugal |
| Spain | DGOJ | Licensing | RGIAJ | Spain |
The table is a starting point, not legal advice. Rules change, so each country guide links to the regulator and shows the date we checked it.
How to check an operator in any country
- Find the national regulator for the country you live in, not the country printed in the casino's footer.
- Search the regulator's register or white list for the exact company name and website address.
- Check that the licence covers the product you want, for example online casino rather than only sports betting.
- Read the regulator's player pages on complaints and self-exclusion. A licensed operator must take part in the national self-exclusion scheme where one exists.
What happens if you play with an unlicensed operator
- No local complaint route. Lithuania's regulator says it cannot act on non-payment by foreign operators without a Lithuanian licence.
- Blocking. The Czech Republic, Lithuania and Norway require internet providers to block listed illegal sites.
- Fines or penalties for players in some countries. Latvia fines players €70–350, and German law treats taking part in unlicensed gambling as an offence.
Language is not jurisdiction
A site in Latvian, Spanish or German is not necessarily licensed in Latvia, Spain or Germany. What counts is where you live and whether the operator holds that country's licence. The offers shown on this site are advertising and do not mean an operator is licensed in your country.
Sources
- Europäisches Verbraucherzentrum Deutschland, Welches Online-Glücksspiel ist in Deutschland legal?. Updated 17 June 2026. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Lošimų priežiūros tarnyba, FAQ: illegal gambling Checked 3 November 2026.
- Valsts ieņēmumu dienests, Warning on unlicensed interactive gambling Checked 3 November 2026.
- Lotteritilsynet, DNS blocking in Norway Checked 3 November 2026.
- Borenius, Finland's Gambling Act reform: practical guide. Published 28 May 2026. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Český telekomunikační úřad, Blocking illegal gambling (press release) Checked 3 November 2026.
Limitations: this overview summarises each country's model and is not legal advice. See each country guide for details and sources.