The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has published its comprehensive annual report, revealing that the European online gambling market generated a staggering €117.8 billion in gross gaming revenue during the 2025 fiscal year.
This represents a 14.2% increase compared to the previous year, marking the highest growth rate the industry has seen since the post-pandemic boom of 2021. The figure encompasses all regulated online gambling verticals across EGBA's 26 member states, including sports betting, casino gaming, poker, and lottery products.
"The European iGaming market continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and growth potential. Our members are investing heavily in responsible gambling tools while simultaneously expanding their product offerings to meet evolving consumer demands," said EGBA Secretary General Maarten Haijer.
The report highlights several key trends driving this growth:
Mobile-First Expansion Mobile gambling now accounts for 73% of all online gambling activity across EGBA member markets, up from 68% in 2024. Operators who invested in native mobile applications saw 22% higher player retention rates. The shift toward mobile has also accelerated the development of progressive web apps and instant-play casino formats that eliminate the need for dedicated downloads.
Sports Betting Dominance Sports betting remained the largest segment at 45% of total revenue, bolstered by major sporting events and the continued expansion of in-play betting markets. The introduction of micro-betting on individual plays and moments within matches has opened entirely new revenue streams, particularly among younger demographics aged 25-34.
Casino Gaming Growth Online casino gaming grew by 18.7%, driven by live dealer innovations and the introduction of crash-style games that appeal to younger demographics. The live casino segment alone grew by 24.3%, with operators investing millions in state-of-the-art streaming studios across Malta, Latvia, and the Philippines. Megaways mechanics continued to dominate slot development, while branded content partnerships with major entertainment franchises drove acquisition.
Regulatory Harmonization Efforts The EGBA has been actively lobbying for greater regulatory harmonization across European markets, arguing that fragmented national regulations create unnecessary compliance costs and drive players toward unlicensed operators. The association has proposed a framework for mutual recognition of gambling licenses within the EU, though progress has been slow.
Responsible Gambling Investment EGBA members collectively invested €340 million in responsible gambling initiatives during 2025, a 28% increase over the previous year. This includes AI-powered player monitoring systems, mandatory deposit limits in several jurisdictions, and expanded self-exclusion programs that now cover cross-border operations.
The EGBA also noted that regulated markets now represent 82% of all European online gambling activity, up from 76% in 2023, indicating successful channelization efforts across the continent. However, the association warned that overly restrictive regulations in some markets risk reversing this progress.
Market-by-Market Breakdown
The UK remained the largest single market at €18.3 billion, followed by Germany at €14.7 billion and Italy at €12.1 billion. Notably, the Netherlands showed the fastest growth rate at 34% following its market maturation since the 2021 re-regulation. Spain and France also posted strong results, with growth rates of 16% and 13% respectively.
Emerging markets in Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland, Czech Republic, and Romania, collectively generated €8.9 billion, representing a 21% year-over-year increase that positions the region as the next major growth frontier for the industry.
Looking ahead, the association projects continued growth of 10-12% for 2026, with particular emphasis on the expanding regulated markets in Germany, Netherlands, and the emerging Eastern European jurisdictions. The integration of cryptocurrency payments and blockchain-based gaming solutions is expected to be a significant driver of innovation and new player acquisition throughout the coming year.
