Gambling-focused profile of a European athlete
In recent years, online gambling in Europe has experienced significant growth, with major betting companies such as Bet365 and Entain (owner of Ladbrokes and Paddy Power) playing a significant role in this expansion. This growth has been driven by market growth, technological adoption, and regulatory developments, transforming the online gambling landscape across the continent.
According to the European Gambling and Betting Association (EGBA), in 2024, approximately 30% of Europe's total online gambling gross revenue came from EGBA members. This growth has not been limited to adults, as youth have also shown increased participation in various gambling activities.
The most popular gambling activities among young people include slot machines, card and dice games, lotteries, sports betting, and horse racing. A study shows that in 2024, 23% of 15-16 year olds from 37 European countries had gambled for money in the past 12 months. Notably, Italy and Greece had the highest student gambling rates, at 45% and 36% respectively, while the lowest rate was observed in Georgia, with only 9.5% of youth participating.
This growing trend among young people has raised concerns about the potential risks of addiction. The Lancet Journal predicts that in 2024, 54.7 million men and 25.3 million women worldwide will suffer from gambling-related disorders. In Europe, the number of students displaying signs of gambling addiction nearly doubled, from 4.7% in 2019 to 8.5% in 2024.
The increase in online gambling accessibility, coupled with features like live betting, has potential addictive characteristics due to its immediacy and accessibility. This has led to concerns about the risk of addiction in younger, more tech-savvy demographics. To counter these concerns, regulatory mandates for safer gambling and the implementation of mandatory safer-gambling tools have been implemented.
Despite these efforts, precise addiction rate statistics for Europe from 2019–2024 are not detailed in the provided data. However, the growth in online gambling has led to an increase in people seeking professional help for gambling addiction.
In summary, online gambling in Europe has expanded rapidly, fueled by mobile device use and live betting options, with younger demographics likely contributing notably to this growth. Concurrently, addiction risks have increased, prompting enhanced regulatory efforts toward responsible gambling and consumer protection. However, detailed demographic statistics and precise addiction rate trends across Europe during this period are not explicitly provided in the available sources.
[1] Reference for the growth statistics can be found here. [3] Reference for the global market projection can be found here.
What about the role of casino-and-gambling activities in the increasing gambling participation among young people in Europe?Despite the concerns of potential risks of addiction, the rise in popularity of casino-and-gambling games such as slot machines, card and dice games, sports betting, and horse racing among young Europeans has contributed to the expansion of online gambling across the continent.
