Betsson CEO Discusses Challenges in European Gambling Regulations

Pontus Lindwall, CEO of Betsson, has raised concerns about how some European regulators interpret their responsibilities. Speaking to iGaming Business, he highlighted that many authorities struggle to properly enforce measures aimed at protecting players. He warns that ongoing restrictions will keep driving players to illegal casinos and urges reform.

Lindwall shared his thoughts at the ICE conference in Barcelona, where he discussed the challenges in European gambling markets whilst sharing his optimism about Betsson’s growth in Latin American markets. The Netherlands and Germany have been some of the most challenging countries to operate in, whereas countries like Peru and Argentina have shown significant potential.

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Challenges in Regulated Markets

According to Lindwall, Europe’s gambling industry has encountered “growing challenges from increasingly strict regulations”. These include increased gambling taxes and the introduction of player limits in the Netherlands. Licensed operators such as Betsson have consistently warned that overly restrictive measures risk driving players to unregulated platforms. Lindwall reaffirmed this concern in his iGB interview:

“Regulators sometimes misunderstand their role. Their responsibility is to create frameworks that protect players and generate tax revenue. By driving operators out of the regulated sector through ongoing restrictive measures, they fail to achieve these goals. I believe that constructive dialogue with the industry is essential to address these issues effectively.”

Pontus Lindwall, CEO Betsson

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Call For Collaboration

As regulations tighten across Europe, gambling operators face increasing difficulties. According to Lindwall, however, the situation poses an even greater challenge for regulators, who risk over-regulating themselves out of relevance. The Betsson CEO has emphasised the need for stronger cooperation between regulators and industry players. However, excessive regulation could push players to seek alternatives on websites that aren’t limited by local restrictions.

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Regulatory Setbacks in Europe

The gambling operator has faced challenges across various European markets, including partially withdrawing its licence application in the Netherlands, whilst Germany has proven to be another market Lindwall describes as “difficult.”

He refers to Germany’s introduction of a 5.3% turnover tax on online pokies and poker stakes in 2021. Official data reveals declining tax revenues from online pokies in Germany as players turn to unregulated sites whilst licensed operators withdraw from the market.

“We aim to build productive relationships with authorities and maintain open communication. By learning together, we can create sustainable regulatory frameworks. At the same time it is counterproductive to implement strict regulations only to find that most players opt for unregulated alternatives, as we’ve seen in Germany. Addressing tax burdens and finding common ground with regulators remains a key priority for us.” 

Pontus Lindwall, CEO Betsson

Betsson has faced ongoing challenges in the Netherlands. Before online gambling was legalised in 2021, the company operated brands like Kroon Casino and Oranje Casino, acquired in 2014 to cater specifically to Dutch players. However, in 2021, the licence application for these brands was rejected due to issues meeting mandatory database compliance requirements. Considering leaving the market, Betsson eventually returned by acquiring Goldrun Casino, which was already a licensed operator in the Netherlands, for €27.5 million (approximately 49.8 million NZD).

Since then, the Dutch gambling market has introduced higher taxes and stricter player limits, forcing different international operators, including LiveScore Bet and Tombola, to cease operations in the country. The Netherlands has one of the highest gambling taxes in Europe. In January 2025, the tax rate was increased from 30.5% to 34.2%, with a further rise to 37.8% planned for 2026.

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Promising Opportunities in Latin America

In contrast to the challenges in Europe, Lindwall remains optimistic about Betsson’s growth potential in Latin America, where the company has found significant success in markets like Peru.

“We have a strong presence and well-organised operations in several markets. The region continues to expand, and the online segment has immense growth potential for years to come,” he said in his iGB interview.

In Q3, Betsson reported a 34.2% rise in Latin America revenues, reaching a record €69.4 million (NZD 121.5 million). Growth was particularly found in Argentina, Colombia, and Peru, driven largely by casino operations. With a provisional licence secured in Brazil on 1 January, Lindwall anticipates fierce competition in Latin America’s biggest market. According to Lindwall, Betsson is already working on its strategy to find its way in this new gambling market.

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About Betsson

Betsson AB is a leading holding company investing in fast-growing online casinos and gambling platforms. Established in 1963 and listed on the stock market in 1996 as Cherryföretagen AB, Betsson shares are traded on Nasdaq Stockholm Mid Cap (BETS B). Pontus Lindwall serves as the company’s CEO, president, and board member.

The company holds licences from regulators including the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the Dutch Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), and other European authorities in Ireland and Denmark. Some of Betsson’s portfolio of 24 gambling websites are accessible to players in New Zealand under MGA regulation. This includes CasinoEuro and Guts Casino with both platforms available for players from New Zealand that meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years and older.

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