The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) projects that total gross gaming revenue (GGR) in Europe will rise to €123.4 billion in 2024, marking a 5% increase over 2023. This growth reflects strong performance across both land-based and online sectors, with digital gambling gaining steady ground across the EU-27 and UK markets.
Online gambling alone is expected to generate €47.9 billion this year, continuing its upward trajectory as mobile and internet-based betting becomes increasingly dominant. Land-based gambling, while still the larger segment at €75.5 billion, is gradually losing market share as players shift toward digital channels.
Online Gambling Closes the Gap
In 2024, online gambling is set to account for 39% of the total European gambling revenue, up from 37% the previous year. Meanwhile, land-based gambling’s share is expected to drop slightly to 61%. This trend toward digital is forecast to continue, with online gambling projected to make up 45% of the market by 2029.
Casino games lead Europe’s online gambling vertical, generating €21.5 billion and comprising 45% of the sector’s online GGR. Sports and events betting follows closely with €13.7 billion (29%), while lottery products contribute €7.1 billion (15%). Smaller but steadily growing categories include horse racing (€2.5 billion), poker (€1.5 billion), and bingo/other games (€1.6 billion).
Mobile devices are central to this digital shift, with 58% of online gambling revenue expected to come from smartphones and tablets in 2024. By 2029, this figure is projected to rise to 67%, underlining the dominance of mobile-first gambling platforms and consumer preferences.
Land-Based Gambling Recovers Post-Pandemic
Despite the rise in digital gambling, traditional land-based formats remain resilient. In 2024, lotteries will account for the largest share of land-based revenue at €30.9 billion, followed by gaming machines at €24.9 billion. Casino games contribute €8.5 billion, and sports/event betting €6.4 billion. While these categories exhibit more modest growth, EGBA anticipates a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.8% across the land-based sector through 2029, reaching €82.4 billion by the end of the decade.
Lottery products, with a 1.7% CAGR, will remain a key component of the land-based landscape, while casino and sports betting are forecast to grow slightly faster at 2.5% annually, driven by increased interest and ongoing market recovery.
Country-Level Insights: UK Leads, Nordics Dominate Online Share
The United Kingdom remains the largest gambling market in Europe, with €30.8 billion in total GGR in 2023, including €11.1 billion from online channels. It is followed by Italy (€25.5 billion), France (€17.8 billion), and Germany (€17.7 billion). While most large markets are still land-based-heavy, the Nordics lead in online penetration, with Sweden at 68.3%, and Finland and Denmark both exceeding 68%.
Conversely, Spain, Italy, and Germany report much lower online market shares at 14.2%, 21.7%, and 22.6% respectively.
Online casino dominates in markets like Malta (73%), Estonia (72%), and Latvia (63%), while sports betting is strongest in Cyprus (74%) and Slovakia (64%). Lottery retains prominence in Germany (37%) and Denmark (26%), and Belgium stands out for bingo, which represents 22% of its online revenue. France shows a stronger poker presence, with 13% of its online gambling attributed to the card game.
Looking Ahead: Digital Growth Leads Market Outlook
Europe’s gambling sector is on track to reach €149.2 billion in total revenue by 2029, assuming stable economic and regulatory conditions. Online growth will be a major driver, with the sector expected to expand at a 6.9% annual rate, surpassing €66.8 billion in GGR by 2029.
This continued shift from land-based to digital reflects evolving player preferences, rising mobile use, and the increasing role of personalized, data-driven gambling experiences. The EGBA’s latest data suggests that while traditional formats remain vital, the momentum is clearly with the online sector.
Source:
European Gambling Market – Key Figures 2025 Edition [pdf], EGBA, March 2025.