Many people here only think in (space) black and white.
Regulations can be very useful and help with progress. In the EU I can use the internet provider I like because the cable owners must let others companies use the cables for rent.
While I agree that apple should profit from its inventions, that doesn’t mean that it should be able to abuse a monopoly.
I should be able to use other services without being hindered by Apple.
Why can’t I use GeForce Now properly on my iPad for example?
I think Apple should have been forced to loosen the rules of the App Store, only allowed to enforce privacy and security rather than being forced to allow side-loading. In a perfect world scummy monetization would also be restricted but Apple has no interest in preventing gambling psychology inspired gaming apps from appearing on the App Store and appears happy to encourage developers (game devs especially) to exploit their users in the name of profit.
However I do think there should be central repository of control and distribution for two reasons:
1. When an app or developer behaves badly there is somewhere that complaints can be lodged and the app investigated
2. A central place for search, discovery, and updates
Allowing side loading without a well staffed EU level organization that can investigate and stop scummy apps is just a recipe for disaster.
Edit: If the EU had an organization that could investigate scummy apps and receive complaints would make side loading viable and lessen the need for a central organization.