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In a recent graph that circulates on social networks, you can see how people spend their leisure time from 1930 to the present day in 2024. Friends, family, cinema, reading, bars and restaurants, churches, the Studying and taking care of the house took up most of the time practically until the year 2000.
From that moment on, the “Online” column has grown exponentially, reaching 60% in 2024, followed far behind by friends with 14% and co-workers with 8%. This fact marks a brutal change in what has been called “usages and customs” and its repercussions and consequences are yet to be analyzed.
In a very short time and especially since the appearance of screens on mobile phones, we spend most of our time consulting information we receive online. The weight of information platforms and social networks is overwhelming and unthinkable just fifteen years ago.
Fraud and compulsive gambling prevention policies must always be at the top of the concerns of public administrations
Therefore, it is not surprising that our leisure and our games with or without bets are mostly played online.
In Spain, active players on gaming platforms have exceeded 1.6 million in 2023, a figure that represents an increase of almost 15% compared to previous years. These people have played more than 1.2 billion euros with an increase of 28% compared to 2022.
This growth has been sustained throughout 2024, with an increase of 11.23% in the first months of the year.
To better understand this activity and the different possibilities that players have, platforms have been created that compare the different offers of casinos and games with economic prizes online. Experts in casino activity such as Eric King offers up-to-date information and advice on the best way to play online.
Casino games have positioned themselves as the leading segment, reaching 50% of the sector’s total revenue, with a key contribution from gambling machines (61.5% of total casino games). This segment includes a diversified offer, with live roulette being the users’ favorite, with an annual increase of 25%.
Sports betting also stands out, especially pre-match and live betting. While betting on sporting events grew by 15.3% compared to conventional betting, live betting showed a notable increase of 48%. Unlike other types of games, these benefit from a captive market that seeks combinations of real-time entertainment and promotions.
Given the abundance of options in casinos and online betting, platform comparators They have become essential tools for users. The criteria taken into account are the offer of bonuses, variety of games, payment methods, security, and ease of use on mobile devices. Additionally, these sites often include reviews from other users, allowing for a real perspective on the experience.
The evolution of gaming in online casinos in Spain has been particularly dynamic in recent years. As of 2021, the casino segment has surpassed sports betting in revenue, representing 50.5% of the total online gaming market in 2023. This growth is mainly due to the popularity of slot machines, which cover more than 61% of revenues in this segment. These machines, which include slot games and other similar games of chance, are highly regarded for their simplicity and speed, in addition to the attractive bonuses and free spins that many platforms offer.
Other casino games, such as live roulette and blackjack, have also seen considerable growth. Live roulette, in particular, has become a favorite among players, increasing by 25.7% in 2023. This reflects a preference for games that provide a more interactive and social experience, similar to that of a physical casino. Live streaming technology has enhanced this experience, allowing players to interact in real time with dealers and other participants. Blackjack and other table games have also seen steady growth, thanks to their flexible format and variable betting options that suit different levels of players.
Online poker has seen a remarkable recovery. Although it represents only 8.5% of total casino revenue, it has shown constant growth, driven by a 23.7% increase in poker tournaments in 2023. This form of poker is popular among players looking competition and strategy. In addition, online poker in cash format has also seen an increase, although more moderate, due to instant win offers and the ease of playing at short intervals.
In summary, the growth of online casinos in Spain is supported by technological innovation in interactive games and user preference for experiences that simulate the physical casino environmentbut with the convenience of online access.
The Spanish Minister of Economy Carlos Corpus reported in a press conference at the end of September that Spain’s GDP is expected to expand by 2.4% in 2025 and 2.2% in 2026, exceeding the growth rates of its eurozone counterparts. This move will boost the country’s growing economy to new heights in the coming year.
The expected increase in private consumption and investment is the main factor that has driven this upward revision of the forecasts. It is still to be evaluated the consequences that relevant events such as the DANA disaster in several areas of the Levant and South of Spain will have for the Economy, as well as the consequences of the protectionist policies announced by the future president of the United States Donald Trump.
Recently the General Directorate of Gambling Regulation (DGOJ)an organization dependent on the Ministry of Finance that controls gambling in Spain, has presented the financial results of the online gambling market in Spain corresponding to the second quarter of 2024.
The market has shown solid growth, with gross gaming revenue (GGR) reaching €346.3 million ($386.5 million), an increase of 10.79% compared to last year.
Casino games won the most, with 49.57%, followed closely by gambling, with 42%. Poker represented 7.38%, while bingo had a smaller participation, 1.04%. Both the casino and gambling segments saw significant increases in revenue growth, while poker saw a slight decline.
The total business volume for the quarter reached 8,260 million euros, which represents an increase of 7.76% compared to the same period of the previous year. Casino games contributed the most to this figure, followed by gambling. In particular, the betting segment recorded an impressive growth of 10.73%.
Spain has a clear and transparent gaming regulatory framework and this has created a conducive environment for the growth of the online gaming industry, while ensuring that operators adhere to responsible gaming practices and protect the interests of consumers.
Policies to prevent fraud and compulsive gambling must always be at the forefront of the concerns of public administrations, and self-regulation and prudence in gambling must take precedence over the player’s individual behaviors to avoid unwanted consequences.
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