Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, in a written answer on 3 July 2026, outlined the European Commission's existing and planned regulatory framework to address risks from digital gambling advertising, particularly for minors, without committing to new sector-specific restrictions. The answer, responding to a question from MEP Nicolae Ștefănuță and 16 other MEPs, emphasised that the Digital Services Act (DSA) already requires online platforms to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors, prohibits advertising based on profiling using minors' personal data, and provides a notice-and-action mechanism for users to flag illegal gambling advertisements. Virkkunen also pointed to the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD), which prohibits misleading or aggressive advertising targeting vulnerable consumers, and noted that the upcoming Digital Fairness Act (DFA) aims to address gaps in EU consumer protection rules online. The Commission is also considering additional measures based on findings from the Special Panel of Experts on Child Safety Online.
The answer contained no concrete proposals for stricter rules or limitations specifically on digital gambling advertising, instead relying on horizontal instruments and national laws. This leaves the ball in the court of the DFA and the expert panel, with no timeline given for further action.
Stakeholders impacted include online platforms (which face compliance costs under the DSA), minors and vulnerable consumers (who gain protections but may still be exposed to algorithmically targeted ads), and the gambling industry (which faces no new sector-specific restrictions but must comply with existing rules). The answer signals a cautious, horizontal approach rather than targeted regulation, balancing consumer protection with avoiding disproportionate burdens on digital advertising.