Growing Scrutiny Over Online Gambling and Sports Betting: U.S. and Europe Move Towards Stricter Regulations
By Space Coast Daily // October 30, 2024
The rapid expansion of online gambling and sports betting has drawn increasing regulatory attention in both the U.S. and Europe. Recent developments in the U.S. highlight a growing urgency to implement tighter regulations, as concerns about problem gambling, particularly through social media marketing, continue to rise.
At the same time, European countries are setting new precedents in regulating online gambling, including imposing stricter controls on online slots and bonus buy features.
U.S. Push for Federal Oversight: The SAFE BET Act
In the U.S., lawmakers are focusing on regulating sports betting operators through federal legislation, as highlighted in CNBC’s report on the SAFE BET Act. This proposed federal bill aims to bring uniformity to the sports betting landscape, which currently operates under a patchwork of state regulations. The SAFE BET Act would enforce consumer protection measures across all states, ensuring enhanced safeguards for responsible gambling, advertising transparency, and tighter monitoring of betting activity.
This move is a response to the exponential growth of sports betting since the 2018 Supreme Court decision that overturned the federal ban. While this expansion has boosted revenue for operators and state governments, it has also led to concerns about inconsistencies in consumer protections, particularly across states with varying rules. Proponents of the bill argue that a federal framework is essential to closing regulatory gaps and shielding consumers from predatory practices.
Regulating the Digital Frontier
A recent Guardian article sheds light on the role social media platforms have played in the growing reach of online gambling. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have been criticized for facilitating gambling advertisements, which target users—especially young and vulnerable populations—through influencer marketing and micro-targeted ads. With online gambling operators increasingly relying on social media to attract new users, regulators are calling for stricter advertising controls to prevent these platforms from exacerbating problem gambling behaviors.
Currently, digital marketing in the gambling space operates with relatively little oversight, allowing operators to flood users’ feeds with promotional content. Advocates for stricter regulations argue that these platforms should bear more responsibility for curbing harmful advertising practices, especially as gambling becomes more accessible through smartphones and apps.
Stricter Controls on Online Slots in Europe
While the U.S. grapples with how to regulate its burgeoning gambling market, European countries have already taken significant steps to control online gambling activities. Several countries have introduced stringent regulations aimed at reducing the potential harms of online slots—a popular and highly addictive form of gambling.
In nations like the UK and Germany, authorities have implemented wagering limits, restricting how much a player can bet in a single round of online slot games. In the UK, for instance, measures have been enforced to reduce spin speeds and cap maximum stakes on online slot machines. Moreover, features like bonus buy—which allow players to purchase access to free spins or bonus rounds for a fixed price(source) —have come under scrutiny. Regulators argue that these features can encourage reckless spending by giving users immediate access to high-risk wagers.
The implementation of these restrictions is part of a broader effort to create safer gambling environments and mitigate problem gambling behaviors. By curbing high-stakes features and setting deposit limits, European regulators hope to balance the enjoyment of online gambling with more robust consumer protections. The UK, in particular, has been a leader in these initiatives, with its Gambling Commission playing an active role in ensuring operators comply with safety standards.
A Global Shift Towards Stricter Regulation
Both U.S. and European regulators are increasingly recognizing the need for more comprehensive and cohesive frameworks to protect consumers. The introduction of the SAFE BET Act and ongoing discussions around social media regulation in the U.S., along with Europe’s moves to control online slot features, signal a shift towards greater scrutiny of the digital gambling landscape.
