The European betting market is expanding faster than ever, and the years 2024–25 highlight clear changes in both user preferences and the dynamics of national markets. Digitalization, major sporting events, and the expansion of licensed operators have redefined how Europeans access gaming platforms.
In this context, the differences between mature and emerging markets are becoming increasingly visible, while some segments — such as the casino sector in France, where regulations and public interest evolve at the same pace — reflect the direction the entire industry is heading toward. Although growth is not uniform across Europe, countries with solid digital infrastructure and stable legislation stand out with the fastest development rates.
How do we measure the growth of the betting market?
The growth of the betting industry is analyzed using standardized European indicators. These factors allow independent markets to be compared and help establish a realistic ranking of the countries with the fastest evolution in 2024–25.
The main indicators include:
- GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue) — total revenue before taxes, the most widely used international benchmark.
- Number of active players — the evolution of the user base shows the health of the market.
- Share of the online segment — countries with high digital adoption grow faster.
- Legislative stability — clear regulations attract operators and investments.
Before analyzing the top countries, it’s important to note that most official data comes from organizations such as EGBA, national regulators (UKGC, Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego, ADM Italy, Germany’s Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder), and independent market reports.
Leading countries with the fastest growth (2024–25)
In 2024–25, several European markets stand out with growth rates above the continental average. Countries with stable regulations and strong digital infrastructure lead the rankings.
United Kingdom
The UK remains one of the most dynamic markets in Europe thanks to its clear legal framework and advanced digitalization. The latest full UKGC data (2023–24) shows around £2.3 billion GGY in online sports betting, of which £1.1 billion came from football.
The popularity of the Premier League and widespread use of mobile betting keep the British market among the strongest in 2024–25.
Germany
Following the implementation of the Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüNeuRStv), the German market continued to stabilize in 2024. Licensed revenues reached approximately €14.4 billion GGR, with a growth of around 5%, while the online segment rose to about €3.5 billion, up nearly 18%.
The stabilization of the legal framework and expansion of federally authorized operators contributed to the increase in active users and the shift toward modern mobile platforms.
Italy
Italy remains one of the largest markets in the EU, with solid results in 2024. The regulated market recorded around €21.6 billion GGR (+4.4%), and the online segment is estimated at €2.89 billion, supported by strong interest in Serie A and growing mobile app adoption.
The stability of the legal framework and the market’s maturity keep Italy among Europe’s fastest-growing markets.
Spain
Spain’s online sports betting segment grew significantly in 2024, reaching approximately €608.9 million GGR, a 23.8% increase compared to the previous year.
Although marketing is strictly regulated, the market continues to advance thanks to its large user base and the popularity of live betting, which generated €285.1 million, up 24.1%.
Countries with slow or stagnant growth
Some European markets show more moderate growth, often due to taxation, advertising restrictions, or user limits. These factors reduce market attractiveness for operators and can limit the expansion of the online segment.
Countries associated with slower growth include:
- France — high taxes and strict advertising restrictions affect market dynamics.
- Netherlands — strict consumer protection rules and heavy operator oversight.
- Belgium — restrictive limits on marketing and deposits.
- Portugal — high taxation on operators, limiting rapid expansion.
These markets are stable but do not evolve as rapidly as the top performers, mainly due to legislative pressure.
The European market dynamic is becoming clearer
The European betting landscape increasingly highlights the contrast between mature markets, which accelerate thanks to stability and digitalization, and more restrictive markets, where growth remains limited.
Countries investing in modern infrastructure and coherent regulations continue to lead the rankings, and the trends of 2024–25 confirm that legislative and technological flexibility are the main drivers of industry evolution.