In the recent years, all EU Member States have introduced some form of regulation or changed legislation with regard to betting activity. The liberalization of the betting market within the EU combined with growing criminal threats (such as cybercrime and match-fixing) and reduced public finances advocated for the Precrimbet programme, which was co-financed by the European Commission (Directorate General for Migration and Home Affairs), in the framework of the call for applications ‘Co-operation between public and private actors in identifying sports betting risks’ (more information here).

The intent of the programme has been to identify, analyse and evaluate the criminal risks linked to the sports betting activity. After 16 months of research and the organisation of 10 national seminars, a Precrimbet report has been published, containing a risk-assessment as well as 13 recommendations aimed directly at EU MS or European authorities.”