Spain’s gambling industry is hitting new heights with significant growth and a commendable low gambling harm rate! The latest report from the country’s gaming regulator, the General Directorate and Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), reveals some intriguing insights into the evolving landscape.
In the country’s first quarter of the year, the gross gaming revenue (GGR) soared to €304.9 million ($332.22 million). This marked an impressive 50.9% increase compared to the same period last year. And while there was a slight dip of 2.7%, this was typical for the season. Compared to the former, the holiday season usually hits a lower mark.
Spain: Graced by the online gaming sector
The online gaming sector played a vital role in this surge, with online sports betting experiencing a remarkable 42.8% year-on-year growth, contributing €130.6 million ($142.3 million) to the total GGR. Online casino gaming also flourished, registering a noteworthy 47.02% increase, reaching €143.3 million ($156.13 million). Even bingo and poker witnessed modest growth, with respective GGR gains of 1.1% and 8.97%.
Poker, in particular, thrived with a 5.01% activity increase compared to the previous quarter and an impressive 24.92% surge year-on-year. Tournament poker rose by 8.42% from Q4 of last year, while cash games experienced a slight decline of 2.72%.
Although the betting segment experienced a decrease compared to the previous quarter, down by 7.65%, retail sports betting faced a similar decline of 11.21%. Online bets on horse races saw a 5.92% decline, while wagers on “other” sports witnessed a significant 37.7% increase. Unfortunately, the DGOJ didn’t provide a breakdown of the specific sports included in this category.
In the casino segment, there was a 0.64% growth compared to Q4 of 2022 and an impressive year-on-year variation of 29.2%. Slot machines played a significant role in this growth, with a remarkable 31.3% increase, while live roulette enjoyed a boost of 32.2%.
Extending the grace to player activity
Player deposits and withdrawals saw positive growth, increasing by 22.7% and 15.68% respectively, compared to the previous year. However, when compared to the previous quarter, deposits slightly decreased by 0.31%, while withdrawals saw a minor increase of 0.78%.
Despite implementing regulatory reforms, such as tighter marketing and sponsorship restrictions, Spain’s gambling industry continues to thrive. In the first quarter, marketing expenses amounted to €93.3 million ($101.66 million), distributed among affiliate spending, sponsorships, promotions, and advertising. Although there was a decrease of 13.08% compared to the previous quarter, it only represents a slight dip of 0.81% from the previous year.
Advertising also went on a slump form the last quarter and year. To be more specific, there was a 22.8% decline from the previous quarter. More so, there was a 12.75% decline from the category’s previous year. Affiliate spending also experienced a decline of 19.9% from the prior quarter but enjoyed a remarkable increase of 32.45% compared to the first quarter of last year.
The monthly average of active game accounts stood at 1,158,628, showing a slight decrease of 2.57% from the previous quarter but a commendable 11.06% annual increase. But there was also a loss, where the average of new accounts went down by 15.78%. This measurement was on quarter-to-quarter and was 2.68% down compared to the same period last year.
Overall, Spain’s gambling industry is witnessing substantial growth despite regulatory reforms, indicating a resilient and evolving market that continues to captivate players and operators alike.
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