The gambling market in Europe is clearly in the ascendency, as more jurisdictions legislate positively for online igaming.. Online gaming – be that horse race betting, slot machine gaming, football betting etc – has expanded rapidly over the past three years or so. However, as online casinos and sports books expanded their reach, land-based casinos and sportsbooks have either had to adapt or close their doors.
These times are looking good for online igaming, and the continent is brimming with opportunities for the most avid gamblers. In this article, we’ll talk about the most intensive gamblers in Europe and why they have such promising gaming markets.
Virtual Crowds
Although land-based casinos and sportsbooks are essential to this niche, online gaming undeniably pushes it forward. Given how the internet has impacted our everyday lives in so many areas, it isn’t difficult to understand why the online gaming market reached USD 70.02 in market size worldwide last year. Online platforms go where land-based casinos can’t and that appears, at least for the time being, why online casinos and sportsbooks are powering ahead.
Here are the most promising markets in the continent. The figures below include online casinos, sportsbooks, and land-based options.
France
- Gaming revenue in 2021: EUR 10.7 billion
France is one of the friendliest nations to gambling activities, and the numbers show it. In 2010, the country took a more liberal approach to gambling. The Gambling Act was approved, which created the Regulatory Authority for Online Games. This institution is responsible for licensing and regulating new gaming platforms in the country.
Germany
- Gaming revenue in 2021: EUR 6.4 billion
All numbers for online gaming are looking up in Europe, and Germany is no exception. The figures in the country are expected to grow at least until 2024. Germans love gambling, and in a survey conducted among online casino customers, 12% said they play slots daily, while 32% play every week. Additionally, most games are played via smartphones: 65% of users reported using mobile devices to play.
Italy
- Gaming revenue in 2021: EUR 3.6 billion
Italy is home to the first casino in history, the Casinò di Venezia, established in 1638. Unsurprisingly, Italians are avid gamblers, and the country has one of the highest concentrations of gamblers in the region. The gaming rules in Italy are considered quite liberal compared to other European countries. The Italian lawmakers relaxed the regulations even further in 2018. About 30% of the adult population gambles regularly.
UK
- Gaming revenue in 2021: GBP 3.1 billion
The British have loved gambling since the Roman days. Both casino and sports betting are very popular pastimes in the country. The country has more than 6,000 land-based outlets for gambling, and it’s always among the largest markets in Europe. Moreover, the UK became a hub for software developers and tech startups devoted to creating new solutions in the segment.
Spain
- Gaming revenue in 2021: EUR 815 million
Sports betting is popular in Spain, with football being the most common option. Spain also has very friendly laws towards gaming: both online and land-based venues are allowed. It might not have the most impressive numbers in this ranking, but about 25% of adults engaged in gambling in 2021.
Cashing Out
Overall, figures for online gaming don’t stop rising. However, the countries with the friendliest and most modern laws will reap more benefits. In Finland, for instance, only Finnish online casinos are allowed.
Regulated markets offer much protection to the players, having fairer and more efficient taxing systems. The countries with the most gambling activity have extensively regulated and legalised gambling, not just for the safety and security of customers of casinos, but also to the betterment of the online establishments themselves.
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