Spain’s online gambling industry continues to show resilience and growth, as the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) has released financial data for the second quarter (Q2) of 2024. The report reveals a notable increase in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) and several key performance indicators, pointing to the steady expansion of Spain’s digital gambling market. The figures reflect a 10.79% year-on-year growth, with total GGR hitting €346.3 million ($386.5 million) in Q2 2024.
Spanish Online Gambling Market Shows Strong Growth in Q2 2024
Growth Across Key Sectors of the Spanish Gambling Market
The DGOJ’s report highlights growth in most of the primary verticals of Spain’s online gambling industry. The main sectors covered include betting, casino, bingo, and poker. While betting and casino sectors led the way, poker recorded a marginal decline, and contests remained inactive for the quarter.
Casino Sector: Leading the Market with Robust Growth
One of the key takeaways from the DGOJ report is the strong performance of the casino sector, which continues to dominate Spain’s online gambling market. In Q2 2024, the casino segment represented 49.57% of the total GGR, pulling in €171.69 million, a 14.57% increase compared to the same period last year. The casino sector remains the largest contributor to the country’s GGR, driven by rising interest in online slots, blackjack, roulette, and other virtual casino offerings.
This sustained growth can be attributed to several factors, including advancements in mobile gaming technology, which has made casino games more accessible, and the increasing popularity of live dealer games that simulate the experience of a physical casino. Furthermore, promotions and bonus offers from Spain’s licensed operators have continued to attract and retain a large customer base.
Betting Sector: Significant Year-On-Year Gains
The betting sector also experienced significant growth during Q2 2024, contributing 42% of the total GGR with revenue of €145.48 million, a 9.13% increase year-on-year. The betting market has traditionally been one of the strongest segments in Spain’s online gambling industry, and this trend continues in 2024.
Spain’s betting sector benefits from the wide range of sports events available for betting, particularly in football (soccer), which remains the most popular sport among Spanish bettors. The DGOJ report notes that the quarter included key football competitions, which likely spurred a rise in betting activity. Additionally, growth in eSports betting has started to gain momentum, appealing to a younger demographic and further diversifying the betting landscape.
Bingo Sector: Modest but Steady Rise
While smaller compared to other segments, bingo experienced a steady rise during Q2 2024, with GGR increasing by 1.87% year-on-year to reach €3.61 million. The bingo sector’s slow but positive growth reflects the enduring appeal of this traditional game, which has seen a resurgence through its online format.
The modest growth can be attributed to targeted marketing campaigns and increased promotions, which helped engage both long-time fans and newer players. As operators continue to introduce innovative features such as multi-card play and progressive jackpots, the bingo sector is likely to maintain its upward trajectory in the coming quarters.
Poker Sector: A Slight Decline in Revenue
Unlike other segments, poker recorded a marginal decline in Q2 2024, with GGR dropping by 0.76% to €25.56 million. Despite this small dip, poker still represents 7.38% of Spain’s overall online gambling market.
The drop in poker revenue could be attributed to increased competition from other gambling options, such as casino games, which offer faster and more dynamic gameplay. However, poker remains a key segment of the Spanish gambling landscape, particularly among skilled players who prefer Texas Hold’em and Omaha formats. With increased participation in online poker tournaments and innovations in gameplay, the poker segment could see a rebound in future quarters.
Overall Market Turnover and Player Engagement Statistics
In addition to the GGR figures, the DGOJ report provides insights into total turnover and player engagement, both of which saw notable improvements during Q2 2024.
Total Turnover: An Impressive Surge
Spain’s online gambling market saw a total turnover of €8.26 billion, marking a 7.76% year-on-year increase. The turnover reflects the total amount wagered across all gambling activities, with the casino sector accounting for €4.99 billion, representing the largest share of the market. Meanwhile, the betting segment saw the most significant growth, with turnover reaching €2.55 billion, up 10.73% from the same period last year.
This growth underscores the rising interest in online gambling in Spain, driven by expanding offerings, improved user experiences, and the increasing integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enhance player experiences and reduce fraudulent activities.
User Engagement: Active Accounts and Gamblers
One of the key indicators of the market’s health is the increasing number of active accounts and gamblers. The DGOJ report shows a 23.65% increase in active accounts, reaching a total of 1,401,634. Similarly, the number of active gamblers grew by 22.11%, with an average of 942,805 active players each month. These figures demonstrate that Spain’s online gambling market is not only expanding but also retaining and engaging a significant number of players.
Interestingly, while the number of new accounts saw a sharp rise of 46.57% (with 150,677 new accounts opened during Q2 2024), the number of new gamblers declined by 5.15% to 47,826. This could suggest that while more individuals are signing up for online gambling platforms, the rate of new players actively participating has slowed. This trend may indicate that operators need to focus more on converting new registrations into active players through targeted promotions, enhanced customer support, and engaging gaming experiences.
Conclusion: A Future for Spain’s Online Gambling Market
The DGOJ’s Q2 2024 report paints an optimistic picture of Spain’s online gambling industry, with strong growth across the board in terms of revenue, turnover, and player engagement. The continued rise of the casino and betting sectors is driving the market forward, while bingo maintains steady growth. Although poker saw a slight decline, its importance remains significant within the overall market.
FAQs About Spanish Online Gambling Market in Q2 2024
1. What was the total Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for Spain’s online gambling market in Q2 2024?
The total Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for Spain’s online gambling market in Q2 2024 was €346.3 million ($386.5 million), representing a year-on-year increase of 10.79%.
2. Which sector contributed the most to the GGR in Q2 2024?
The casino sector held the largest share of the GGR, accounting for 49.57% with revenues of €171.69 million.
3. How did the betting sector perform in Q2 2024?
The betting sector showed strong growth, contributing 42% of the total GGR with revenues of €145.48 million, a 9.13% year-on-year increase.
4. Did the poker sector grow during Q2 2024?
No, the poker sector experienced a slight decline in Q2 2024, with GGR dropping by 0.76% to €25.56 million. Poker accounted for 7.38% of the total market.
5. What was the performance of the bingo sector in Q2 2024?
The bingo sector saw a modest increase of 1.87%, bringing in €3.61 million in GGR, accounting for 1.04% of the market.
6. What was the total turnover for Spain’s online gambling market in Q2 2024?
The total turnover for Q2 2024 was €8.26 billion, representing a 7.76% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
7. Which segment saw the highest turnover growth?
The betting segment saw the highest turnover growth, reaching €2.55 billion, which is a 10.73% year-on-year increase.
8. How did the number of active gambling accounts change in Q2 2024?
Active gambling accounts grew by 23.65%, reaching 1,401,634 accounts during Q2 2024.
9. Was there an increase in the number of active gamblers?
Yes, the number of active gamblers increased by 22.11%, with an average of 942,805 active players per month during Q2 2024.
10. What factors contributed to the growth in Spain’s online casino sector?
The growth in the casino sector can be attributed to advancements in mobile gaming, the popularity of live dealer games, and attractive promotions and bonuses offered by licensed operators.
