Spain’s online gambling revenue surged by 18.5% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2025, fueled by robust growth in both the casino and sports betting segments. Over the three-month period ending June, gross online gambling revenue totaled €410.3 million ($484.2 million), according to data from the Directorate General for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ). This figure not only eclipsed the same quarter last year but also marked a 2.8% increase from the first quarter of 2025.
Deposits during this period rose significantly by 23.7% to €1.35 billion, nearly matching the levels seen in the first quarter. Likewise, player withdrawals saw a 28.9% year-on-year increase, reaching €962.9 million, consistent with the previous quarter’s figures. This upward trajectory in both deposits and withdrawals indicates a vibrant and burgeoning online gambling market.
New account registrations also experienced an uptick, with a rise of 11.7% to 504,853 accounts, although this was an 11.6% decline from Q1. Marketing expenditures soared by 37.1% compared to the previous year, reaching €164.5 million, which was also slightly above the spend in Q1 2025. This increase in marketing could be seen as an indicator of the competitive landscape in Spain’s online gambling industry as operators vie for market share.
In breaking down the market sectors, online casino stood out as the dominant force behind the revenue growth. In the second quarter, online casino revenue hit €216.4 million, accounting for 52.7% of the total market, and marked a substantial 26.0% increase from 2024. The DGOJ attributed this growth primarily to the slots segment, which saw its revenue soar by 33.6%.
Sports betting also contributed significantly to the positive performance, with revenues climbing by 18.2% to €171.4 million. This represents 41.8% of the overall revenue and a 2.7% increase from the first quarter of the year. The consistent growth in sports betting underscores the popularity and resilience of this segment within Spain’s online gambling ecosystem.
While other segments like online poker and bingo did not fare as well, they nonetheless remain integral parts of the market. Online poker revenues fell by 25.2% year-on-year to €19.1 million and were down 25.1% from Q1 2025. Bingo revenues also experienced a decline, dropping 6.4% from last year to €3.4 million, and down 6.9% from the previous quarter. The DGOJ mentioned minimal figures related to gambling activities categorized as ‘contests’, indicating limited player interest and spending in this area.
By the conclusion of Q2, a total of 77 operators held licenses in Spain. Of these, 64 maintained at least one active single license during the period, encompassing 52 online casino operators, 42 sports betting providers, nine poker, four bingo, and two contest operators. This diversity in license distribution highlights the extensive range of gambling activities available to players within the Spanish market.
While the overall growth trajectory remains strong, some industry analysts express caution over the sustainability of such high growth rates. As one might muse, while robust growth is certainly encouraging, the market could potentially face saturation. This viewpoint suggests that as the market matures, operators will need to innovate and differentiate to maintain growth momentum.
Conversely, others argue that the market’s expansion is far from reaching its peak. With continuous advances in technology, including improved user experiences and integrated platforms, there is still ample room for growth. A positive competitive environment could spur further advancements, as operators strive to offer more engaging and immersive experiences to attract and retain users.
In summary, the second quarter of 2025 has proven to be a landmark period for Spain’s online gambling sector, characterized by significant revenue growth across key segments. The impressive performance of online casinos and sports betting has solidified their positions as the leading drivers of revenue. With a robust regulatory framework and a competitive marketplace, Spain’s online gambling industry appears poised for continued success, notwithstanding the potential challenges of market saturation and increased competition. The coming quarters will be instrumental in determining whether this growth trajectory can be sustained or whether new strategies will be necessary to adapt to an evolving market landscape.
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