Eurostat is preparing to introduce a significant update to the criteria used for calculating the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP).
The HICP is the reference instrument for measuring consumer inflation across European Union member states. Harmonised consumer price indices are designed to enable international comparisons of consumer price inflation within the EU.
Starting February 4, 2026, the index will be compiled in accordance with the new European Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (ECOICOP version 2), aligned with the international standard defined by the United Nations (UN COICOP 2018).
At the same time, 2025 will become the new base year for the HICP, set at a conventional value of 100.
Among the most significant changes is the inclusion of gambling activities in the index. Until now, gambling had been classified under recreational services within the “Recreation, Sport and Culture” division.
Previously, the sector was excluded from direct measurement due to the lack of fully harmonized methodological criteria at the European level—a critical issue that has now been resolved following the publication of updated standards in December 2024.
This methodological shift is expected to have implications not only for inflation measurement but also for the economic analysis of regulated gambling markets, including spending patterns related to the top casinos 2026, which are likely to gain greater visibility within official European statistical frameworks.
