The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) revealed in its 2026 Annual Activity Report that its members contributed to approximately 30% of the online gross gaming revenue (GGR) across Europe in 2025. This uptick was largely attributed to the association’s expansion and regulatory changes in the region. The report outlines data and regulatory updates from EGBA members, which include major operators such as Bet365, Entain, and Flutter. Over the past year, the number of online licenses held by EGBA members grew by 25%, totaling 401 licenses across 22 jurisdictions.
In 2025, EGBA members generated a combined online GGR of €18 billion, representing a 34% increase from the previous year. This growth coincides with a 28% rise in the total stakes, which amounted to €275.3 billion. The data breakdown shows that casino games were the largest contributor to GGR at 48%, closely followed by sports betting at 46%. Meanwhile, poker and other activities, including bingo and esports betting, each constituted 3% of the revenue. The distribution within sports betting indicates that pre-match betting formed 63% of the sports GGR, while in-play betting accounted for 37%.
A significant point from the report is the decline in the return to player (RTP) rate, which fell to 93.4% in 2025 from 93.7% the previous year. This decline, part of a trend since 2021, has resulted in a slight increase in operating margins for operators, now at 6.6% compared to 6.3% in 2024. The strategy of lowering RTP is often utilized by operators to offset the rising costs associated with gambling tax increases and other regulatory measures, such as deposit and stake limits. However, some industry observers caution that this approach may diminish the long-term value of players.
The number of active customer accounts also saw an increase, rising by 13% to 43.8 million in 2025, a 47% climb from 29.8 million in 2021. This growth is credited to both the expansion of EGBA’s membership and organic growth among existing members. Sports betting experienced a notable year-on-year growth in GGR, surging 49% to €8.2 billion, while the casino sector grew by 23%, reaching €8.6 billion.
The report also addresses the association’s sustainability initiatives over the past year. In October 2025, the EGBA collaborated with the European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA) to launch a Responsible Influencer Marketing Pledge. This initiative aims to implement stricter age-gating, transparency in paid partnerships, and content limitations that appeal to minors, supported by independent oversight and content removal mechanisms.
The annual European Safer Gambling Week, held from November 17 to 23, 2025, witnessed participation from 221 partners across 24 countries—a 14% increase from the previous year. Noteworthy was the introduction of safer gambling messages during live televised football matches in Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, and Italy. Additionally, the EGBA launched a dedicated website, safergambling.eu, offering resources such as country-specific helpline information and self-exclusion tools.
As the EGBA continues to expand its influence across Europe, the focus remains on balancing growth with responsible gaming practices. The ongoing evolution in regulations and market dynamics will likely prompt further strategic adjustments from operators. Looking ahead, the EGBA plans to continue strengthening its sustainability efforts and monitoring compliance with emerging regulatory frameworks. The impact of these changes will be closely watched as the association prepares for its next phase of development in the European market.
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