The European gambling sector recorded notable growth in 2024, expanding by 4.8% worldwide, largely fueled by online casinos and sports betting. Italy ranked fifth among European countries for gambling revenue, highlighting the strength of its online casino market and lottery segments, even with a limited number of land-based casinos.
European Gambling Rankings
The United Kingdom maintained its lead in the European gambling landscape, achieving a score of 9.71 out of 10. Its revenue breakdown included over $14.7 billion from casinos and casino games, $6.8 billion from lotteries, and nearly $6 billion from sports betting. The UK also hosts 144 physical casinos, second only to France.
Germany secured second place with a score of 9.37, generating more than $22 billion in revenue. Its income came from $13.2 billion in casino operations, $5.7 billion from lotteries and bingo, and $3.1 billion from sports betting. France followed in third, with a score of 9.19, driven by its 205 casinos – the highest number across Europe – and a total revenue exceeding $14.8 billion in 2024, including $8.3 billion from casinos. Spain ranked fourth with a score of 8.60, generating close to $9 billion through $5.6 billion from casinos, $2.2 billion from lotteries, and $1.1 billion from sports betting.
Italy came in fifth with a score of 8.40, reporting a gambling turnover surpassing $13 billion. This total was composed of $8.3 billion from casinos, $3 billion from lotteries, and $1.8 billion from sports betting. Despite these figures, Italy operates only six physical casinos, underscoring the dominant role of online platforms and lottery revenues in its market performance.
Licensing Overhaul and Market Consolidation
In 2025, Italy’s Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) completed its latest tender process for remote gambling concessions, granting 46 new online gambling licenses. Notable approvals went to major operators like Betfair, Snaitech, Sisal, 888 Italia, Bet365, LeoVegas, and William Hill. Other successful applicants included Betsson, Admiral Sport, Winamax, Marathonbet, and Eurobet Italia.
The new licensing round introduced a higher entry cost, with each license priced at €7 million per vertical per brand, a significant increase from the €200,000 fee in the previous model. This shift, alongside stricter compliance and financial requirements, has deterred smaller operators, leading to a sharp reduction in license applications compared to 2018, when 93 operators applied, with 81 approvals.
Industry experts anticipate a major consolidation of the market. Christian Tirabassi of Ficom Leisure noted that the reforms are driving “natural selection,” favoring financially strong, multi-channel operators capable of managing omnichannel strategies. Analysts project that after the reforms take full effect, roughly 30 to 35 operators will remain active, controlling a majority share of Italy’s approximately €5.2 billion online GGR.
Regulatory Reforms and Growth Potential
The reforms extend beyond licensing fees, aiming to modernize Italy’s regulatory framework. New player protection tools will allow users to set deposit and time limits, self-exclude, and receive automated alerts addressing compulsive gambling behaviors. Stricter measures will specifically target players aged 18 to 24, marking a regulatory first in Europe.
Italy’s online gambling market, regulated since 2006, continues to expand. Total gross gaming revenue (GGR) reached €21.6 billion in 2024, a 4.4% increase from the previous year, with online activity accounting for about €5 billion of that figure. Mergers and acquisitions, such as Flutter’s €2.3 billion purchase of Snaitech, highlight the trend toward consolidation and dominance by major players. Analysts from Jefferies estimate Flutter’s market share could rise to 30%, supported by brands like Sisal and PokerStars.
Meanwhile, reforms to the land-based gambling sector have been delayed to mid-2026. These changes are expected to unify licensing, cap weekly cash deposits at €100, and introduce mandatory ID and self-exclusion systems.
Despite the changes and heightened competition, Italy’s lottery sector remains stable, with IGT retaining exclusive operational rights until 2034 under a renewed €2.23 billion agreement, reinforcing its pivotal role in the Italian market.
Source:
Italy is fifth in Europe for gambling. Over 13 billion in turnover, en.ilsole24ore.com, August 22, 2025
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