EU forecasts 13B budget boost from new online gambling and crypto taxes

The European Commission is evaluating potential new EU-wide taxes targeting online gambling, cryptocurrency firms, and digital companies. Revenue estimates suggest the measures could generate around 13 billion for the EU budget. The proposals are part of broader efforts to find new funding sources for the bloc.

The European Commission is examining a set of potential new EU-wide tax measures that could significantly bolster the bloc's budget, with revenue projections reaching approximately 13 billion. The taxes under consideration would target online gambling operators, cryptocurrency companies, and digital firms operating across the European Union.

What's Being Proposed

The Commission's assessment covers several revenue streams, with online gambling taxes forming a central pillar of the proposals. Crypto firms and broader digital companies are also in scope, reflecting growing political appetite in Brussels to ensure these sectors contribute more to public finances.

Budget Implications

The 13 billion figure represents a notable potential addition to the EU's budget at a time when the bloc is seeking fresh sources of own resources. EU officials have been under pressure to reduce dependence on direct national contributions and instead develop independent revenue streams that can fund priorities such as defence, green transition, and competitiveness programmes.

The proposals remain at the assessment stage, and any new EU-wide tax would require agreement among member states — a process that has historically proven difficult, particularly when it comes to digital and financial sector levies. Nevertheless, the scale of the projected revenues is likely to keep the idea high on the political agenda in Brussels in the coming months.