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The European Commission is weighing a new levy on online gambling as part of a broader plan to raise fresh revenue for the bloc’s next seven‑year budget.
According to a document shared with national governments and the European Parliament and viewed by POLITICO, the measure could generate €1.9 billion annually, contributing to a package of taxes that might bring in as much as €13.3 billion between 2028 and 2034.
The proposal sits alongside possible levies on crypto transactions and digital companies, reflecting Brussels’ search for new ways to finance the EU’s common budget, and also comes after months of deadlock over the Commission’s original revenue package.
Lawmakers in the European Parliament revived the plan, suggesting that gambling, crypto, and digital giants should all contribute to the bloc’s finances.
Tough battles awaits the proposal
In addition to the gambling tax, the European Commission has floated other levies that could bring in billions, but each faces its own hurdles.
A 3% tax on large digital companies is estimated to raise €5 billion annually, yet most of the burden would fall on American firms, raising fears of U.S. retaliation. The Commission based its figures on existing digital taxes in countries like Italy, Spain, and France, but scaling that model across the EU is expected to spark resistance.
The gambling levy itself, set at 3% of net turnover, could generate €1.9 billion a year. Still, Malta is likely to push back strongly, given the importance of betting to its economy.
Crypto is also on the table, with a 0.1% tax on transactions projected to yield €3–4 billion annually, while a capital gains tax could add another €1–2.4 billion.
Together, these proposals add complexity to already tense budget talks. Cyprus, holding the Council presidency, is preparing to present revised numbers and allocations around June 10. But with EU “own resources” requiring unanimous approval among all 27 governments, the path forward promises to be difficult.
The stakes are high, as the package is meant to help finance nearly €2 trillion in spending from 2028 to 2034, including repayments tied to the bloc’s post-COVID debt program.
