Bingo Regulation in the EU: Online and Land-Based Licensing, Regulatory Treatment, and Country-by-Country Analysis

Understanding Bingo's Regulatory Classification in Europe

Bingo occupies a unique position in European gambling regulation. Unlike casino table games or slot machines, bingo has strong cultural and social traditions across Europe, with land-based bingo halls serving as community gathering places for decades. This social dimension has influenced how regulators approach bingo, often resulting in lighter regulatory treatment compared to other gambling products.

According to the European Commission's gambling policy framework, EU member states retain exclusive competence over gambling regulation, meaning each country determines how to classify and regulate bingo. Some jurisdictions treat bingo as a distinct gambling category with its own licensing regime, while others include it under broader casino or lottery licensing frameworks.

The regulatory classification of bingo affects several key aspects, as outlined in our EU Gambling Laws Explained guide:

• Licensing requirements – Whether bingo requires a specific license or falls under general gambling permits
• Tax treatment – Bingo-specific duty rates versus general gambling taxation
• Operating restrictions – Opening hours, prize limits, and venue requirements
• Advertising rules – Marketing restrictions that may differ from casino advertising
• Consumer protection – Self-exclusion coverage and responsible gambling requirements

Online Bingo Licensing in the EU

The growth of online bingo has transformed the European market over the past two decades. Online bingo platforms now offer a wide range of game variants, from traditional 90-ball and 75-ball formats to speed bingo and hybrid casino-bingo games.

Licensing Frameworks for Online Bingo

Most EU countries that have licensed online gambling markets include bingo within their regulatory scope. However, the approach varies:

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) reports that online bingo represents a smaller but stable segment of the overall European online gambling market, with particularly strong adoption in markets with established land-based bingo traditions.

Technical Requirements for Online Bingo Platforms

Online bingo operators must meet similar technical security standards as other online gambling platforms:

• Random Number Generation (RNG) – Certified RNG systems for ball draws, meeting ISO 27001 or equivalent standards
• Game fairness – Independent testing by accredited laboratories (eCOGRA, GLI, BMM)
• Platform security – Encryption, secure authentication, and data protection compliance
• Responsible gambling tools – Deposit limits, session timers, self-exclusion integration
• Anti-money laundering – KYC verification and transaction monitoring as outlined in our AML compliance guide

Land-Based Bingo Hall Regulation

Traditional bingo halls maintain cultural significance across Europe, though the sector has faced challenges from online competition and changing entertainment preferences. Land-based bingo regulation typically addresses venue licensing, operating conditions, and social responsibility measures.

Venue Licensing Requirements

Land-based bingo operators must typically obtain premises licenses that specify:

• Location restrictions – Distance from schools, churches, or other sensitive locations
• Operating hours – Many jurisdictions limit bingo hall opening times
• Age verification – Entry age requirements (18+ in most EU countries)
• Capacity limits – Maximum player numbers for fire safety and supervision
• Gaming machine allocation – Limits on slot machines permitted in bingo premises

The UK Bingo Sector (Reference Market)

While the UK is no longer an EU member, its bingo market provides useful reference points for European regulation. According to the UK Gambling Commission industry statistics, the British bingo sector generates approximately £600 million in annual Gross Gambling Yield (GGY), with both land-based halls and online platforms contributing to this total.

Key features of UK bingo regulation include:

• 15% bingo duty on profits (reduced from 20% in 2014)
• Category B3 gaming machine limits (80 machines per premises)
• Integration with GAMSTOP national self-exclusion scheme
• Advertising Standards Authority oversight of marketing

Country-by-Country Bingo Regulation Analysis

Germany: Bingo Under Interstate Treaty Constraints

Germany's gambling regulation, governed by the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV), subjects bingo to the same strict rules as other online casino products when offered digitally. Key provisions include:

• €1,000 monthly deposit limit across all licensed operators
• €1 maximum stake per game round (affecting high-value bingo games)
• 5.3% tax on stakes (not profits), creating significant operator cost pressure
• OASIS self-exclusion system coverage
• Strict advertising watershed restrictions

Land-based bingo in Germany operates under state-level (Länder) gambling permits, with significant variation in rules between federal states. Some states have long traditions of "Lotto" and "Bingo" events organized by state lottery operators.

Spain: DGOJ-Regulated Bingo Market

Spain maintains a substantial bingo tradition, with both land-based bingo halls (regulated by autonomous communities) and online bingo (regulated federally by DGOJ). As detailed in our Spain gambling regulations page:

• Online bingo licensed under the "Other Games" category
• 25% GGR tax rate applies to online bingo
• Comprehensive advertising restrictions post-2021 Royal Decree
• Land-based bingo halls regulated regionally with varying rules by autonomous community
• Catalonia and Andalusia have particularly active land-based bingo sectors

Italy: Tombola and Bingo Traditions

Italy has a rich tradition of "tombola," the local variant of bingo played particularly during Christmas celebrations. Our Italy gambling regulations coverage notes:

• Commercial bingo halls (sale bingo) licensed by ADM
• Online bingo available through ADM-licensed platforms
• Strict advertising ban under Decreto Dignità (2018) applies to bingo promotion
• 25% tax rate on online gaming revenue
• Traditional tombola exempt when played in private settings without commercial intent

According to ADM (Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli), Italy's bingo sector has consolidated significantly since liberalization, with a smaller number of larger operators now dominating both land-based and online segments.

Netherlands: KSA-Regulated Online Bingo

The Netherlands opened its online gambling market in October 2021, including online bingo under its licensing framework. Key features as outlined in our Netherlands regulations guide:

• Online bingo licensed under general remote gaming authorization
• KSA (Kansspelautoriteit) oversight and enforcement
• Cruks self-exclusion system mandatory integration
• Bonus restrictions apply (particularly for players aged 18-24)
• Strict advertising rules including TV/radio watershed restrictions

Nordic Countries: Varying Approaches

The Nordic countries demonstrate diverse regulatory models for bingo:

Charity Bingo: Special Regulatory Treatment

Charity bingo receives favorable regulatory treatment across most EU jurisdictions, reflecting the traditional role of bingo in community fundraising. This exemption-based approach recognizes the social value of charitable gambling while preventing commercial exploitation.

Common Features of Charity Bingo Exemptions

• Prize limits – Maximum prize values to maintain charitable character
• Frequency restrictions – Limits on how often organizations can host bingo events
• Proceeds requirements – Minimum percentage that must go to charitable purposes
• Registration requirements – Simplified notification or permit processes
• Venue restrictions – Often limited to non-commercial premises

Charity Bingo by Country

The regulatory treatment of charity bingo varies significantly:

• UK (reference) – "Exempt bingo" for small-scale charity events; prizes under £500; no registration required
• Germany – State-level charity gambling permits; proceeds must benefit approved charitable purposes
• Ireland – Permit exemptions for charitable organizations; Gaming and Lotteries Act provisions
• Belgium – Limited charity gaming permits available from Gaming Commission
• Netherlands – Small-scale charity events permitted under notification system

Advertising and Marketing Restrictions for Bingo

Bingo advertising is subject to the same general gambling advertising restrictions that apply in each jurisdiction. As detailed in our EU gambling advertising bans guide, these typically include:

• Watershed restrictions limiting TV/radio advertising to late evening hours
• Prohibitions on targeting minors or depicting gambling as solving financial problems
• Requirements for responsible gambling messaging
• Restrictions on celebrity endorsements (in some jurisdictions)
• Online advertising targeting and personalization limits

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in the UK provides detailed guidance on bingo advertising that has influenced European best practices, including requirements for clarity about prize odds and bonus terms.

Consumer Protection in Bingo Gambling

Bingo players benefit from the same consumer protection frameworks that apply to other gambling products. Key protections include:

Self-Exclusion Coverage

National self-exclusion schemes typically cover bingo operators. As outlined in our self-exclusion systems comparison:

• Germany – OASIS covers online bingo platforms
• Netherlands – Cruks mandatory for all licensed operators
• Sweden – Spelpaus includes bingo licensees
• Denmark – ROFUS covers all gambling products
• UK (reference) – GAMSTOP covers online; local schemes for land-based

Age Verification Requirements

Bingo operators must verify player age before allowing gambling, as detailed in our age verification and KYC guide. The minimum gambling age for bingo is typically 18 years across the EU, though some jurisdictions (Estonia, Latvia) set higher ages of 21 for all gambling products.

Problem Gambling Support

Licensed bingo operators must provide links to problem gambling support resources. Organizations like Gambling Therapy and BeGambleAware offer support for individuals experiencing difficulties with bingo or other gambling products.

Taxation of Bingo in the EU

Bingo taxation follows the general gambling tax frameworks in each jurisdiction, as detailed in our operator taxation guide:

Player winnings from bingo are generally tax-free in most EU jurisdictions, consistent with the treatment of other gambling winnings. See our player winnings tax calculator for country-specific information.

Future Trends in EU Bingo Regulation

Several trends are shaping the future of bingo regulation across Europe:

Convergence with Online Casino Regulation

As online bingo platforms increasingly offer hybrid games that combine bingo with slot-style features, regulators are examining whether distinct bingo regulation remains appropriate. This convergence raises questions about:

• Game classification and which license category applies
• RTP (return to player) requirements for hybrid games
• Stake limits and their application to bingo card purchases
• Bonus wagering requirements and their fairness for bingo

Enhanced Player Protection

Responsible gambling requirements continue to strengthen across the EU, affecting bingo operators through:

• Affordability checks before high-value play
• Real-time intervention for players showing harm indicators
• Enhanced self-exclusion with cross-operator coverage
• Stricter advertising rules limiting promotional messaging

Charity Bingo Modernization

Some jurisdictions are reviewing charity bingo exemptions to ensure they remain fit for purpose while preventing abuse. This includes considerations of:

• Online charity bingo and whether exemptions should extend to digital formats
• Prize limit updates to account for inflation
• Verification of charitable purpose and fund distribution

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

• EU Gambling Laws Explained – Comprehensive overview of how gambling regulation works across the EU
• Online Casino vs Sports Betting: How Rules Differ – Comparison of regulatory approaches by gambling product type
• State Gambling Monopolies in the EU – How state monopolies affect bingo availability in some countries
• Country Index – Full list of EU member state gambling regulations

Last Updated: January 2026