Online Gambling Grows While Traditional Casinos Fade
Europe’s gambling landscape is undergoing some major changes, with digital platforms steadily eroding the dominance of traditional, land-based casinos.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:According to a new report from the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) and H2 Gambling Capital, while the overall market grew in 2024, much of that growth came from the online segment, demonstrating a clear and ongoing shift in consumer behavior.
The continent’s gambling industry reached €123.4 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2024, up 5% from the previous year. However, the growth isn’t evenly distributed. Revenue from land based casinos rose modestly, from €73.3 billion in 2023 to €75.5 billion in 2024, but its market share dipped once again, from 63% to 61%.
This downward trend is expected to accelerate. Projections show land-based gambling’s share will fall to 60% in 2025 and continue its decline, eventually dropping to 55% by 2029.
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Online Gambling Moves Into the Mainstream
In contrast, online gambling is growing. It made up 39% of Europe’s total gambling revenue in 2024, up from 37% in the previous year. The EGBA report predicts that figure will reach 40% in 2025 and continue its upward trajectory.
Mobile gaming is the primary driver behind the shift. In 2024, mobile devices accounted for 58% of online gambling revenues, a figure expected to climb to 67% by 2029.
Europe’s gambling market showed steady growth in 2024. While land-based gambling remains dominant and continues to grow in absolute terms, online channels are showing stronger momentum, driven by changing consumer preferences and technological advancement. Looking ahead to 2025, we expect online gambling to cross the significant 40% market share milestone, with this trend projected to continue in the coming years as online gambling is expected to approach parity with land-based gambling by 2029.
Traditional Casinos Struggle to Keep Up
Even as land-based revenues grow slightly in euro terms, the sector is losing relevance. With high overhead costs and limited scalability, traditional operators are struggling to keep pace with agile, digital competitors. Some have begun investing in hybrid or online platforms, but not all have the resources or expertise to make the change. As such, there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding land-based operators and what the coming years hold for them.
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