European regulators flag prediction markets, Sweden tightens duty-of-care rules, and Spain’s online gambling GGR reaches €454.1m in Q1

Three items matter for high-risk payment teams this week: nine European regulators are sharpening scrutiny of prediction markets ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sweden is preparing stricter responsible gambling rules for licensed operators, and Spain’s online gambling market posted another solid quarter. For PSPs, acquirers, and sports-related partners, the common thread is simple: regulatory status, player-protection controls, and payment flows are getting more attention, not less.

1. Nine European gambling regulators — from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland — issued a joint warning over prediction market platforms ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their focus is on platforms that do not comply with regulations, with stated concerns around illegal activity, fraud, and addiction.
2. The statement says the regulators will tighten monitoring during the tournament and enforce standards on advertising, betting integrity, and player protection. The German regulator has previously warned against token-based social betting platforms, saying they are illegal under the Fourth Interstate Gambling Treaty of 2021. The practical message for sports entities is to verify the legal status of any prediction market partner before signing anything.
3. In Sweden, Spelinspektionen has proposed new regulations to replace the current responsible gambling framework with stricter rules for licensed operators. The draft would require operators to monitor indicators such as gaming session length and financial limits, and to intervene when signs of excessive gambling are detected.
4. The Swedish proposals also include bans on reverse withdrawals and mandatory staff training. The rules are meant to support the statutory duty of care under the Swedish Gambling Act, and feedback on the draft must be submitted by August 10th to the Gambling Inspectorate.
5. Spain’s online gambling sector reported €454.1m in gross gambling revenue in Q1, up 13.9 per cent year-on-year. Deposits rose 17.6 per cent, withdrawals increased 12 per cent, and online casino games were the main revenue driver, with slots and live roulette showing significant growth. Sports betting accounted for 38.4 per cent of total revenue, with in-play betting notably higher; poker also grew.

For payments teams, Spain’s numbers are the reminder that high-volume regulated markets keep moving even while the rulebook tightens elsewhere. That usually means more pressure on merchant onboarding, transaction monitoring, and partner due diligence — especially where sports, prediction markets, and gaming mechanics start to overlap.