EU Advances Common Anti-Money Laundering Framework for Gambling
European Union.- 15 July 2026 www.zonadeazar.com The European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) has opened a consultation inviting gambling operators and regulators to help shape common risk assessment and anti-money laundering supervision standards across the European Union. The initiative covers both online and land-based licence holders.
News Details
The consultation opened on 13 July and will run until 27 September 2026. Its purpose is to develop Regulatory Technical Standards establishing how authorities should assess the inherent money laundering and terrorist financing risks of obliged entities operating across non-financial sectors.
The proposed methodology will help national supervisors classify business activities by risk level, determine supervisory priorities and apply more consistent risk-based oversight across EU Member States.
AMLA is also seeking feedback on proportional reporting requirements, the treatment of smaller businesses and the practical costs of implementation. The authority acknowledges that supervisory obligations designed for financial institutions cannot simply be replicated across gambling and other non-financial sectors.
Other high-risk activities covered by the consultation include real estate financing, online retail of high-value goods, art and antiques, notarial services and certain payments made to legal advisers.
Industry Context
The consultation has been endorsed by Spelinspektionen, Swedenâs gambling regulator, which encouraged licensed operators to participate and influence the development of the future standards. The resulting rules will support national authorities when conducting risk classification and supervision.
The initiative reflects a broader shift in the European regulatory agenda. Although gambling licensing remains a national responsibility, the EU is developing a common architecture based on financial compliance, digital safety and sector-specific consumer protection.
This approach is also supported by the Digital Services Act, enforcement against the promotion of illegal gambling and the development of an EU-wide age verification framework for online services restricted to users aged over 18.
Next Steps or Impact
Operators, regulators and industry associations can submit feedback until late September. AMLA will then assess the responses before finalising the technical standards.
The new framework could increase coordination between national authorities and reshape the risk assessment, reporting and anti-money laundering supervision requirements applied to licensed gambling businesses across Europe.
Edited by: @_fonta
