Italy Secures Fifth Rank in European Gambling with $13B in 2024

The European gambling sector recorded notable growth in 2024, expanding by 4.8% worldwide, largely fueled by online casinos and sports betting. Italy ranked fifth among European countries for gambling revenue, highlighting the strength of its online casino market and lottery segments, even with a limited number of land-based casinos.

The UK maintained its lead in the European gambling landscape, achieving a score of 9.71 out of 10. Its revenue breakdown included over $14.7 billion from casinos and casino games, $6.8 billion from lotteries and nearly $6 billion from sports betting. The UK also hosts 144 physical casinos, second only to France.

Germany secured second place with a score of 9.37, generating more than $22 billion in revenue. Its income came from $13.2 billion in casino operations, $5.7 billion from lotteries and bingo, and $3.1 billion from sports betting. France followed in third, with a score of 9.19, driven by its 205 casinos – the highest number across Europe – and a total revenue exceeding $14.8 billion in 2024, including $8.3 billion from casinos. Spain ranked fourth with a score of 8.60, generating close to $9 billion through $5.6 billion from casinos, $2.2 billion from lotteries and $1.1 billion from sports betting.

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Italy came in fifth with a score of 8.40, reporting a gambling turnover surpassing $13 billion. This total was composed of $8.3 billion from casinos, $3 billion from lotteries and $1.8 billion from sports betting. Despite these figures, Italy operates only six physical casinos, underscoring the dominant role of online platforms and lottery revenues in its market performance.

In 2025, Italy’s Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) completed its latest tender process for remote gambling concessions, granting 46 new online gambling licenses. Notable approvals went to major operators like Betfair, Snaitech, Sisal, 888 Italia, Bet365, LeoVegas and William Hill. Other successful applicants included Betsson, Admiral Sport, Winamax, Marathonbet and Eurobet Italia.