German sports betting and online gaming operator Tipico has become the newest member of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), marking an expansion of the Brussels-based trade body’s representation in one of Europe’s largest regulated gambling markets. The move formally brings Tipico into an organization that represents major EU-licensed online operators, including bet365, Betsson Group, Entain, Flutter Entertainment and Kindred Group.

By joining the EGBA, Tipico accepts a set of binding industry requirements that extend beyond national licensing obligations. Membership obliges operators to follow common standards designed to support consumer protection, market integrity and regulatory cooperation across the European Union.

EGBA membership standards and oversight

The EGBA requires all members to comply with shared frameworks covering responsible advertising, anti-money laundering measures and data protection obligations aligned with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These requirements form part of what the association describes as the first pan-European code of conduct for responsible gambling advertising.

Operators must also complete an annual independent audit to confirm adherence to these standards. Third-party auditors such as eCOGRA typically carry out these reviews, with a focus on player protection controls. Audit assessments include checks on systems used to identify risky gambling patterns, including the use of “markers of harm” to flag potentially problematic behavior.

Tipico’s public disclosures provide some insight into how the company has approached these issues. According to its 2024 environmental, social, and governance reporting, turnover linked to potentially problematic gambling activity remained below 1.5% during the year. The company has also aligned its broader strategy around operating solely in locally regulated markets and taking part in cross-border initiatives such as European Safer Gambling Week.

Jochen Weiner, Tipico’s public policy director, commented on the decision to join the association, saying: “As a company committed to player protection and regulatory excellence, we look forward to contributing our expertise to EGBA’s important work. This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to promoting high industry standards and our fight against the black market for online gambling in Europe.”

Focus on Germany and cooperation against illegal gambling

Tipico’s membership strengthens EGBA’s position in Germany, a market that has faced persistent challenges linked to regulatory complexity, declining channelization rates and the continued presence of unlicensed operators. As Germany’s leading sports betting and online gambling provider, Tipico brings direct operational experience from this environment into the association’s working groups.

Through EGBA participation, Tipico will contribute to discussions on safer gambling practices, advertising rules and anti-money laundering controls, while sharing operational insights from the German market. Both Tipico and the EGBA previously highlighted enforcement cooperation during the Gaming in Germany conference, where Tipico outlined its work with Google to identify and remove illegal gambling websites from search results aimed at German users.

EGBA Secretary General Maarten Haijer welcomed Tipico’s entry, noting the value of the operator’s experience. “As Germany’s leading online gambling operator with a strong track record, Tipico brings valuable expertise to our association and will reinforce our collective efforts to promote a well-regulated and sustainable gambling sector in Europe,” Haijer said. “We look forward to working closely with our new colleagues on our shared commitment to high industry standards.”

Corporate changes and market position

Tipico’s entry into the EGBA comes during a period of structural change for the company. In late 2024, Banijay Group agreed to acquire a majority stake in Tipico in a transaction valued at approximately €4.6bn. The deal combines Tipico with Betclic to form a new business unit known as Banijay Gaming.

On a pro forma basis, the combined group reported around €6.4bn in revenue and €1.4bn in adjusted EBITDA for 2024, placing it among the largest sports betting and online gaming operators in Europe. The group serves close to 6.5 million active players each year, which positions it as the fourth-largest publicly listed operator in the region.

Tipico continues to hold a dominant role in Germany, with a market share exceeding 50%. Its business model integrates online betting with a large retail presence, operating more than 1,250 betting shops across Germany and Austria. The company has also expanded its Austrian footprint through the acquisition of the Admiral brand from Novomatic.

As Banijay Gaming consolidates its portfolio, the group has divested its majority stake in the online operator Bet-at-Home, allowing it to concentrate on assets considered central to future growth. Regulatory and financial completion of Banijay’s acquisition of Tipico is expected by mid-2026, a timeline that places Tipico’s EGBA membership at the early stage of this broader transition.