Uncovering the Forces: Identifying the Individuals Boosting Gambling Statistics Across Europe
In Europe, the online gambling landscape is subject to tightening regulations and efforts to combat the trivialisation of gambling. While some countries like Germany prohibit online gambling altogether, others allow it under restricted circumstances [1].
A recent study by the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) reveals that, on average, 23% of students aged 15 to 16 across 37 European countries reported having gambled for money in the past 12 months [1]. This includes both in-person and online gambling on games of chance like slot machines, card games, lotteries, and sports betting.
Southern European and Balkan countries show higher prevalence rates compared to other European regions. Italy has the highest prevalence at 45%, followed by Greece at 36% [1]. On the other hand, Eastern European countries are in the medium-prevalence group, and Scandinavian and Central European countries are mostly low-prevalence [1].
The growth of online gambling, especially among boys and girls, is a significant contributing factor to this trend. Online gambling participation among boys increased from 13% in 2019 to 20% in 2024, and tripled among girls from 2.7% to 8.7% in the same period [1].
Gender differences also play a role. Boys gamble more frequently, but girls tend to progress faster to problem gambling [1]. The percentage of students exhibiting potentially harmful gambling profiles almost doubled, from 4.7% in 2019 to 8.5% in 2024, with a sharper increase among girls [1].
In terms of the online gambling market, online casinos currently remain the largest contributor, generating €21.5 billion [2]. Sports and events betting follows closely at €13.7 billion [2]. Both online casinos and sports betting are projected to grow by around 7% annually until 2029 [3].
The study also found that in 2024, three-quarters of customers on online gambling platforms were male, marking an increase from 72% in 2023 [4]. Among women, the percentage of customers dropped from 28% in 2023 to 25% in 2024 [4].
The number of customers on online gambling platforms in the European Union and the United Kingdom reached 38.6 million last year, a 19% increase from 2023 [4]. EGBA's members represent approximately 30% of Europe's 2024 online gambling gross gaming revenue [5].
Environmental and contextual factors play a more significant role in initiating gambling behavior among young people, while individual characteristics have a greater impact on the likelihood of being at risk [1].
References:
[1] ESPAD. (2025). Report on the ESPAD 2025 study. Retrieved from https://www.espad.org/report-espad-2025-study
[2] European Gaming and Betting Association. (2024). Online gambling market in Europe. Retrieved from https://egba.eu/online-gambling-market-in-europe/
[3] Global Market Insights. (2022). Online gambling market size, share & trends analysis report. Retrieved from https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/online-gambling-market
[4] European Gaming and Betting Association. (2024). Gender distribution in online gambling. Retrieved from https://egba.eu/gender-distribution-in-online-gambling/
[5] European Gaming and Betting Association. (2024). EGBA's market share in Europe. Retrieved from https://egba.eu/egbas-market-share-in-europe/
- The study by ESPAD in 2025 reveals that mental health and wellness are concerning issues among European students, as the prevalence of harmful gambling behaviors, such as online gambling on games of chance, has almost doubled, particularly among girls.
- While online gambling market in Europe continues to grow, with online casinos and sports betting generating a combined €35.2 billion in 2024, there is an increasing need for science-based interventions to address mental health concerns related to gambling, especially in the context of health-and-wellness and business.
- In addition to the financial implications of online gambling, the cascading effects on individuals' personal finances, relationships, and overall wellbeing are significant factors that should be considered by businesses, regulators, and policymakers in the casino-and-gambling sector, as they continue to shape tomorrow's online landscape in Europe.
