Spain’s Online Gaming Industry Booms in Early 2025
Spain’s online gaming industry is thriving, with the first quarter of 2025 showing exceptional growth. According to official data from the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), the gross gaming revenue (GGR) reached €398.1 million. This surge represents a 13.7% annual increase compared to the same period in 2024. Approaching €400 million in just three months highlights the sector’s strength and dynamism.
Online Casinos Drive Growth
Online casinos in Spain were the primary driver of this boom, generating €203.06 million in revenue, over half of the total. This represents a significant year-on-year increase of 20.64%. Slot machines were particularly popular, with usage growing by 42.06% compared to the previous year. Games like baccarat also experienced quarterly increases of over 33%.
The growth in online casinos extends beyond gross revenue. Deposits and withdrawals also saw substantial increases. Data from the DGOJ in 2024 showed deposits growing by 19.62% and withdrawals by 19.73%, indicating intense and balanced financial activity. This reflects greater confidence and fluidity in the digital gaming market.
This economic boom correlates with a growing player base. In 2024, the number of active users soared to 1,992,889, a 21.71% increase compared to the previous year. This underscores the sector’s increasing popularity and its consolidation as a preferred form of digital entertainment, largely due to the convenience and accessibility of online casinos.
The momentum continues into 2025, with online casino revenues setting records. The near €400 million in gross revenue for the first quarter of 2025 supports the upward trend from previous quarters. This confirms that the digital casino segment remains the driving force in Spain’s online gaming market, projecting stability and sustained growth.
Sports Betting Shows Positive Results
While not as vibrant as the casino segment, sports betting also showed positive results. It generated approximately €165.90 million, accounting for 41.67% of the quarter’s GGR. This was an 11.17% increase from the same period in 2024, despite a slight 6.35% decrease compared to the previous quarter. Overall, this segment provides stability and complementary growth to the online casino’s momentum.
In the first quarter of 2025, sports betting in Spain continued its positive trend, driven by enthusiasm for live sports. Conventional bets increased by an impressive 75.70%, and live bets also grew by 4.68% compared to the same period last year. This reflects renewed demand from sports fans, who are more active than ever thanks to the ease of the digital environment and the variety of options available on regulated platforms.
Furthermore, the exploitation of emblematic football and sporting events is solidifying betting as a prominent economic pillar. For example, in the third quarter of 2024, sports betting alone generated €113.5 million in revenue, underscoring its growing relevance within the online gaming ecosystem. This data shows how sports act as an engine of economic dynamism and participation, reinforcing the connection between sports communities and legal, safe, and regulated betting platforms.
Key Factors Supporting the Sector’s Future
The reactivation of welcome bonuses following a Supreme Court ruling in 2024 marked a turning point for the industry. These promotions, which had been limited for several years, returned as a key incentive to attract new customers and revive promotional activity. The impact was immediate: more registrations, more deposits, and greater player loyalty as they found an additional incentive to remain active on the platforms.
The sector also benefits from increasingly consolidated digital habits. The Spanish population has greater technological and financial literacy, resulting in more conscious users who understand where and how they play. This mature profile favors safer environments, with bets placed on regulated platforms that offer guarantees of transparency and trust.
Technological innovation, from immersive experiences to improved payment systems, combines with stable regulation and collaborations between operators and authorities. This combination of factors projects sustained growth and reinforces Spain’s position as one of the most solid online gaming markets in Europe.
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