European online gambling market expands with new casino bonuses and self‑exclusion programs

In Austria, self‑exclusion programmes have become a central tool for problem‑gambling prevention. The Austrian Financial Market Authority recorded 28,460 active self‑exclusions in 2024, with an average duration of 7.3 months and an 83.6 % drop in monthly deposits among participating players. Centralised registers are credited with lower evasion rates compared with provider‑only systems.

Across Europe, online casino operators are promoting a wave of bonus offers, including no‑deposit bonuses, free‑spin packages and cryptocurrency‑based promotions on platforms such as Ethereum and Bitcoin casinos. These marketing campaigns highlight rapid account verification, extensive game libraries from providers like Pragmatic Play and Yggdrasil, and a focus on secure payment methods. The overall trend points to heightened competition among operators to attract users while regulators like Austria strengthen protective measures.