The European Gaming and Betting Association (EBGA) has revealed an 11 percent growth in the online gambling market across Europe, with the UK accounting for 32.4 percent of the business.
According to the association, in partnership with H2 Gambling Capital, the market expansion saw gross gaming revenue rise from 2017’s €20 million (US$22.4 million) to €22.2 million year-on-year.
“Europe’s online gambling market continues to show a strong demand-driven growth and a switch to mobile devices,” Maarten Haijer, secretary general of the EGBA, told SBCNews.com.uk. “But its increased popularity reinforces the need for more consistent and strong consumer protections and industry standards across all EU countries.
EGBA represents bet365, Betsson Group, GVC Holdings PLC, Kindred Group PLC, MRG, and ZEAL Network, who combined had a total of 121 online gambling licenses across 20 EU countries.
Online gambling activity generated €22.2 billion GGR, accounting for 23.2 percent of the total EU gambling market—up from a 21.2 percent share in 2017. Some 57 percent of online bets were placed via a computer, while 43 percent were placed from phones and tablets, a jump of 39 percent compared to 2017.
Sports betting was the most popular online gambling activity with 42.5 percent of the total EU market share, followed by casino games at 32.4 percent, lottery at 12.6 percent, poker at 5 percent, bingo at 4.3 percent and other games with a 3.2 percent.
