Online gambling sector in Portugal experiences surge with a significant increase of 40.7%
Casino Gaming Across Europe: A Trend Analysis
The gambling sector in Europe is experiencing a surge, with the online casino segment leading the charge. In 2023, this segment saw a substantial increase of 40.7%, generating a whopping 154.5 million euros compared to the previous year. Interestingly, online casino player spending skyrocketed by 28.7% to an impressive 3.84 billion euros.
Digging deeper, it was found that 83% of bets were placed on slots, while French roulette and blackjack claimed 6.9% and 4.7%, respectively. These numbers, according to Yogonet, paint a clear picture of the players' preferences.
Contrarily, sports betting revenue dipped by 14.8% year-on-year to 72.8 million euros. However, bettor spending witnessed a 16% hike to 532.1 million euros. The majority of bets were cast on football (74.7%), followed by basketball (10.8%) and tennis (9.7%).
The land-based sector experienced a slight decrease of 3.9% to 64.6 million euros.
Looking ahead, the market looks promising for the online direction, with 2024 marking a significant milestone as it exceeded the 1 billion euro mark, representing a 42% increase over 2023.
The gambling market, worldwide, is projected to reach a staggering $449.69 billion in 2025, with a steady 3.21% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) from 2025 to 2029. The Nordic region, specifically Norway's iGaming market, is showcasing strong annual expansion trends in regulated European markets, exceeding €1.2 billion in 2023.
Mobile gaming, fueled by hybrid monetization models influenced by Apple/Google store policies and EU regulatory shifts like the Digital Markets Act (2025), dominates online casino gameplay. Land-based venues, on the other hand, compete with online platforms offering 24/7 accessibility and cryptocurrency transactions.
To retain customers, physical casinos are increasingly focusing on luxury amenities and live entertainment integration. Online casinos, meanwhile, attract players through gamification techniques and live dealer games from providers like Evolution Gaming.
Players favor in-play/live betting in sportsbooks, while slots, especially Megaways™ and branded games, dominate digital casinos. New casinos are emphasizing provably fair blockchain games and VR integrations.
Regulatory scrutiny is increasing on PAGCOR and MGA-licensed operators entering European markets. Mandatory tools like deposit limits, reality checks, and self-exclusion databases gain prominence in the bid for responsible gambling. In-depth, localized reports are required to uncover specific 2023-2024 player spending figures for Europe.
- Despite a decrease in sports betting revenue, bettor spending increased significantly, reaching 532.1 million euros.
- The online casino segment, with a stunning increase of 40.7% in 2023, generated 154.5 million euros compared to the previous year.
- Conversely, theland-based sector saw a slight decrease of 3.9% to 64.6 million euros.
- Looking towards the future, the online gambling direction is expected to surpass 1 billion euros in 2024, marking a substantial growth of 42% over 2023.
