Several European parties also believe that a tax should be imposed on profits made by non-European companies on digital services. This mainly concerns the large American tech companies such as Google, Meta, and X/Twitter. Some EU countries threaten to start doing this themselves if Brussels does not take action.
The discussion is closely linked to the preparation of the new EU budget for the period after 2027. Additional sources of revenue are being actively sought, and a tax on online gambling is seen as a possible contribution.
Rapidly growing
Supporters point out that online gambling is a rapidly growing sector operating across borders. Gambling companies benefit from the European internal market and digital infrastructure, while tax rules vary greatly by country.
Promotion
According to Members of the European Parliament, these differences result in a fragmented landscape. This can lead to unfair competition between betting offices and gambling companies in EU countries and makes it more difficult to effectively tackle illegal operators.
At the same time, there is resistance. Taxes remain primarily a national competence within the European Union. This means that all EU countries must agree on a joint measure.
Resistance
This is precisely where the problem lies. Some countries have a large gambling sector and fear negative consequences (read: less own revenue). Malta is frequently mentioned in the discussion as a potential opponent who could block a decision.
Nevertheless, supporters continue to promote the idea as a way to generate new revenue for European priorities. This includes investments in, for example, youth and education.
Whether the proposal will actually be developed is still uncertain. First, the European Commission must investigate whether such a tax is legally and practically feasible within existing European rules.