As a breakneck 2024 comes to a close, Martyn Elliott, SBC’s Project Director, was joined on the iGaming Daily podcast by Ted Menmuir, SBC’s Content Director, and Viktor Kayed, Senior Journalist for SBC News, to review the developments shaping Europe’s gaming landscape in 2024.

The trio began their recap in the UK, which has seen recent significant changes with the introduction of a statutory RET Levy and new stake limits for online casinos.

These are part of the ongoing implementation of the reforms set out in the Gambling White Paper, and Ted explained that the changes have been met with some concern from industry stakeholders.

He said: “I feel that the industry does have a right to be concerned and to be anxious about how the applications and the measures will be applied and how it changes that dynamics of the industry and its engagement with customers. 

“This has been seen especially in the case of the deposit limit thresholds with regards to UK horse racing and rural stakeholders [as well as] how it will play out with the third sector and what is already been built in terms of problem gambling treatment and intervention.

“Resolutions are coming, which are good, but there are just so many interplays at stake.”

This year also marked a change in government in the UK, with the Labour government taking power, and Ted noted that the new leaders are taking a “greater oversight on industry conduct and consumer redress”.

“The new gambling minister, [Baroness Twycross], and Lisa Nandy, [Secretary of State for the Culture, Media and Sport], has said that consumer redress is at the forefront of all DCMS sectors,” explained Ted.

“I think this is a Labour government that really wants to apply a new level of fairness in the gambling sector in how operators engage with consumers and that the consumers feel safe and they feel they’re in safer environments where the trust level in gambling has increased.”

M&A activity

Elsewhere in 2024, there was significant M&A activity across Europe, most notably Française des Jeux’s (FDJ) acquisition of Kindred.

On the deal, Viktor said: “I think this was one of the biggest, if not the biggest deal this year. So it’s interesting [to see] how they continue with this acquisition and how they manage the assets that Kindred is leaving with them.”

Looking ahead to 2025, Ted added that he believes there could be increased M&A activity at Entain as it looks to reorganise under its new leadership team.

“Entain has a portfolio of over 30 brands. I think at one point they will look at that and say there’s too much fat on the bone, stuff needs to be stripped,” said Ted.

“I think that viewing Entain, vultures are out there looking [and thinking] mauve we can get an Eastern European brand here or pick up a brand in Germany. It’s all to play for for them.”

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