Corporate sustainability reporting just got real. Like real, real.
With the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) taking effect, iGaming operators active in regulated EU markets are facing a serious shift.
This isn’t a checklist update. It’s a full-blown change in how businesses prove their ESG maturity to regulators, investors, and the public¹.
Since January 1st, 2025, large EU-listed companies are required to publish their first CSRD-aligned sustainability reports, covering data from their 2024 financial year².
And while the iGaming industry isn’t always front and center in EU legislation, the reach of corporate sustainability reporting is expanding fast—pulling operators, platforms, and suppliers into its scope.
The winners? Those who treat transparency like strategy.
The rest? Still playing catch-up when the audits start.
Why Corporate Sustainability Reporting Matters for iGaming
The CSRD replaces the outdated Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) and broadens the landscape of which companies must report—and what they must disclose.
Who’s affected?
- 2025: Large listed EU companies (already under NFRD)
- 2026: Large non-listed EU firms (e.g., 250+ employees, €40M+ turnover)
- 2027: Listed SMEs (with transitional support)
- 2029: Certain non-EU companies with €150M+ EU turnover
For iGaming?
That includes many Malta-based operators with licenses for Germany or other EU states. Even if they’re not directly named in CSRD legislation, they’re part of the value chain and will need to align or report via partnerships.
The big shift:
- Standardized ESG disclosures via European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)
- Mandatory audits of sustainability reports
- Focus on “double materiality”
- Over 1,000+ data points, spanning governance, climate, workforce, and social impact2
The biggest change under the CSRD is that reporting is no longer a free-for-all. Companies can’t cherry-pick what ESG topics they disclose.
Companies must follow the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)
A framework that defines exactly what must be reported and how.
- General disclosures (like business model, strategy, and ESG governance)
- Environment (e.g., climate risks, pollution, biodiversity)
- Social (e.g., working conditions, supply chain labor, affected communities)
- Governance (e.g., ethics, risk management, board oversight)
For iGaming operators, this means not just saying, “we care about player protection”—but proving it with structured, auditable data points across multiple ESG pillars.
While some operators see CSRD as “just another directive,” others are already using it to stand out.
Brands that lead with Corporate Sustainability Reporting are:
- Attracting institutional investors who rely on ESG scoring³
- Building trust with licensing bodies in markets like Germany and the Netherlands
- Strengthening brand reputation with both media and players
It’s not about greenwashing.
It’s about being able to back every claim—on responsible gambling, data privacy, diversity, or compliance—with verifiable metrics.
Navigating Double Materiality: A Test iGaming Can’t Ignore
Under CSRD, companies aren’t just reporting what looks good on paper. They’re expected to evaluate risks and impacts from two perspectives—and prove it with data.
1. Impact Materiality
This lens looks outward: How does a business affect people, communities, and the planet?
For example, if a gambling site uses aggressive reactivation tactics to win back high-churn users, it might drive short-term revenue—but it could also worsen gambling harm, especially for vulnerable players.
Or take hosting infrastructure: relying on traditional, non-renewable data centers increases emissions. That’s part of your environmental footprint—and regulators are watching.
2. Financial Materiality
This flips the view: How might ESG risks come back to impact the business?
Think about what happens if an operator is fined for weak player protection. The cost goes beyond the fine—it damages trust, affects investor confidence, and could even spark licensing trouble.
Another scenario? A leaked whistleblower report about shady affiliate practices. That’s the kind of thing that can snowball into legal risk or major reputational fallout.
To stay ahead, companies need to:
- Involve teams across the business and external voices like regulators or advocacy groups
- Benchmark against other regulated operators
- Trace risks throughout the supply chain—from KYC providers to marketing partners
This isn’t guesswork. Materiality assessments are becoming part of audits. Regulators and investors will expect proof.
Action Steps: Corporate Sustainability Reporting in iGaming
This isn’t plug-and-play—but it’s also not a mission impossible. The trick is to start structured and keep it cross-functional.
Run a materiality workshop across departments
Bring together compliance, marketing, product, HR, and finance. Everyone will have different perspectives on what’s material.
Example: The marketing team may flag risks around affiliate behavior. Product may highlight player journey friction points.
Audit existing ESG data and spot reporting gaps
Where is data stored? Who owns it? What’s missing?
Example: You may have great safer gambling data but zero insights into employee turnover or carbon emissions.
Choose an ESG framework that aligns with ESRS
Frameworks like Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) help structure disclosures. European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) is based on these—but more rigid.
Tip: GRI is broader and stakeholder-focused; SASB is more financial and industry-specific.
Invest in data collection tools—move away from Excel
Manual tracking will slow you down. Digital ESG platforms (like Normative, Position Green, or internal dashboards) save time and reduce audit risk.
Engage auditors early
Most operators wait until the end. But by then, gaps can’t be closed. Involve assurance teams now to build a reliable process.
Companies that embed ESG into core governance—not just compliance checklists—are the ones that regulators and investors already trust.cisions.
Conclusion
CSRD isn’t a footnote—it’s a filter.
For operators hoping to expand in the EU, raise capital, or just stay off watchdog radars, corporate sustainability reporting is no longer optional. It’s a reputational litmus test.
Handled right, it can drive player trust, improve market access, and boost internal alignment.
Handled late? It becomes a scramble to meet standards already expected.
FAQ: Corporate Sustainability Reporting
What is Corporate Sustainability Reporting / CSRD?
It’s the EU directive replacing NFRD, requiring large companies to report standardized ESG data, verified through independent audits.
Who does the CSRD apply to?
Large EU companies and some non-EU firms with €150M+ turnover in the EU—this includes many gambling operators and platforms.
What is double materiality?
A reporting model that includes both the company’s impact on people/environment and the financial impact of ESG risks on the business.
When does the CSRD take effect?
Starting January 2025 for large public companies; most iGaming firms will be affected by 2026–2029, depending on structure and operations.
How can iGaming companies prepare?
Start by assessing material topics, aligning ESG reporting with financial systems, and engaging with audit partners.
Sources
- European Commission: “Corporate sustainability reporting“
https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/company-reporting-and-auditing/company-reporting/corporate-sustainability-reporting_en - European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG): “Sustainability Reporting“
https://www.efrag.org/en/sustainability-reporting - Morgan Stanley Capital International: “Sustainable Investing“
https://www.msci.com/our-solutions/esg-investing
