Expert weigh-in on how the digital euro impacts iGaming
The latest meeting of the European Council for Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN), held in Brussels in early July, initiated political discussions on a package of measures to introduce the digital euro for eurozone countries. In addition, the Council discussed the provision of services related to the digital euro in member states whose currency is not the euro. Ministers supported Denmark’s ambition, currently holding the EU presidency, to reach an agreement in the Council by the end of 2025.
Based on the decisions taken, the European Central Bank (ECB) published updated information on the current work on the digital euro last week.
The Digital Euro project plays a crucial role in enhancing financial accessibility and fostering a favourable environment for development and innovation. The digital euro will not replace cash, but will become an additional option for digital payments and money transfers – a key element of the iGaming infrastructure.
ECB preparatory phase
Currently, there is no single digital payment instrument in Europe that covers the entire euro area: 13 out of 20 countries use international payment systems for card payments. The digital euro will become a single electronic payment instrument for all euro area countries, according to the ECB.
Like cash today, the digital euro could become a secure and confidential means of payment. Like other digital currencies, users would store it in an electronic wallet created at a bank or public intermediary.
Based on the results of its research, the ECB began preparations for the potential development of a digital euro in November 2023. Last week, the bank published updated information on its current work on the digital euro, and experts believe contains some worrying signs. For example, it only covers activities from November 2024 to April 2025, which indicates delays in the process. Additionally, the document lacks statistical data and analytics.
Political context
The project is in the preparatory phase until the end of 2025, and the relevant legislation is under review. Five main areas of development for the digital euro are:
- The ability to use it in retail trade throughout the eurozone.
- The ability to operate online and offline to ensure resilience.
- Privacy in design for small transactions.
- No third-party scripts in digital systems to prevent security vulnerabilities.
- Full compatibility with existing EU infrastructure (eIDAS, SEPA, TARGET).
When discussing the differences between the digital euro and private stablecoins, experts cite two key facts: this currency is not backed by reserves and is not issued for profit. “It is a sovereign obligation – government money in digital form. Simply put, a government stablecoin belongs to its issuer,” explains Antonio Amusategui, a lawyer specialising in cryptocurrencies, in a .
Amusategui describes this project as the worst of both worlds: a combination of fiat and programmable money. He points out that Germany and Austria have expressed concerns about the possible consequences, including a deterioration in privacy and excessive centralisation. Finally, PwC estimates that the introduction of the digital euro will cost retail banks around €18 billion – a rather high price for a service that will jeopardise their deposit capabilities.
New opportunities for control and transparency in iGaming
The introduction of the digital euro could have a significant impact on the iGaming industry, especially in European Union countries. First and foremost, it will change payment processes – transactions will speed up, and operators will be able to reduce their acquiring and transfer service costs. A single digital currency will simplify cross-border operations and work with players from different EU countries. For international iGaming platforms, this could be a significant stimulus for development.
In an exclusive comment for SiGMA News, Ujin Vlasov, CMO at Betatransfer, shared his vision of the impact of the new currency. He said: “Traditionally, the online gambling market is based offshore, which complicates transparency, regulatory compliance, and AML and KYC procedures. A digital euro based on a blockchain system could significantly reduce the number of intermediaries involved in payment processing. This move reduces overhead costs and transaction fees.”
From a regulatory perspective, the digital euro will introduce a new approach to control and transparency. Vlasov continues: “Every transaction using the digital euro is verifiable and contains a record of previous activity, allowing for more effective implementation of AML and KYC protocols. 바카라ers to verify their identity with a single click, eliminating the need to repeat the process on each new platform. At the same time, operators benefit from a single secure verification method, which reduces risks and eases the burden of regulatory compliance.”
The digital euro will provide additional comfort for players
For players, the digital euro will increase convenience: they will be able to top up their accounts directly from their digital wallets, receive bonuses in a new form, and withdraw funds faster. Support at the state level will increase trust in platforms using digital currency. Vlasov notes another key advantage: accessibility. The digital euro will be available to all EU citizens, regardless of their banking provider, country of residence, or the technical capabilities of local financial systems. In countries with conservative banking infrastructure, it could become a much-needed path to modern financial integration.
However, the introduction of the new currency will not be without challenges. “Ultimately, regulated operators will benefit most from this change. Transparency, increased security, automated taxation, and centralised identity verification will become strong competitive advantages. Meanwhile, operators that are not subject to regulatory frameworks and are slower to implement transparent practices may face growing pressure from the market to comply with new expectations,” Vlasov concludes.
This article was first published in Russian on 24 July 2025.
