When is a regulated gambling market considered successful?

In Europe, regulators, operators and policymakers are facing the question of what a regulated gambling market should actually look like. As markets open, tighten and develop, this question becomes even more important.

High channelization, strict consumer protection or strong tax revenue may appear to be success on their own. However, each of these can lead to new problems in other areas. No single formula delivers all of them at the same time.

Ahead of SBC Summit Europe 2027, five areas will be the focus: channelization, consumer protection, competition, taxation and innovation. The first of these is seen as one of the clearest indicators: Are players playing in the regulated market?

Before Sweden introduced its new licensing system in 2019, it was estimated that less than 50 percent of gambling in the competitive market took place within Sweden's regulated framework. The Swedish Gambling Authority calculated the channelization rate for 2025 at 84 percent.

High channelization does not always mean immediate success. The Netherlands is the clearest example of this. In the second half of 2025, about 91 percent of Dutch players played only with licensed operators. However, when player losses are taken as the basis, the share of the regulated market remained at about 53 percent. In other words, a small number of players using illegal operators took on a disproportionately large share of the losses.