Latest news with #EuropeanGamingandBettingAssociation
Euronews
7 days ago
- Health
- Euronews
Who are the people driving up gambling statistics in Europe?
The number of customers in the European Union and the United Kingdom on online gambling platforms reached 38.6 million last year, representing a 19% increase from the 32.5 million recorded in 2023, according to the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA). While this is an upward trend over the past five years, the number of people looking for help to stop gambling addiction across Europe has also increased. Data from The Lancet from 2024 claims that 54.7 million men worldwide experienced gambling disorders or problematic gambling, compared to 25.3 million women. Gambling can lead to serious harms to health, including financial stress, relationship breakdown, family violence, mental illness and suicide, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). EGBA's members represent approximately 30% of Europe's 2024 online gambling gross gaming revenue. Its members include Bet365 and Entain, which owns Ladbrokes and Paddy Power. In 2024, three-quarters of customers were male, marking an increase from 72% in 2023. Among women, this figure dropped from 28% in 2023 to 25% in 2024. People aged between 26 and 35 years and between 36 and 50 years make up the biggest share of gamblers, each representing 29% of customers. In Europe, online casinos currently remain the largest contributor at €21.5 billion, followed by sports and events betting at €13.7 billion. Both are projected to grow by around 7% annually until 2029. As a result, EU and national lawmakers are tightening rules and aim to combat the trivialisation of gambling. For instance, Germany prohibits online gambling altogether, while other member states allow it but only under restricted circumstances. Gambling among young students Although underage gambling is illegal in European countries, a 2024 study conducted by the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) reveals that, on average, 23% of students aged 15 to 16 across 37 European countries reported having gambled for money in the past 12 months. This gambling occurred either in person or online and involved games of chance, such as slot machines, card games, dice games, lotteries, or betting on sports and animal races. Italy has the highest prevalence of gambling among students, at 45%, followed by Greece, at 36%. In contrast, the lowest rate is observed in Georgia, at 9.5%. A 2025 study conducted by Italian researchers using ESPAD data found that Southern European and Balkan countries are in the high-prevalence group, while Eastern European countries fall into the medium-prevalence group. Scandinavian and Central European countries predominantly belong to the low-prevalence group. Experts have also noted that while women are less likely to start gambling, they tend to progress to problem gambling more quickly. Online gambling has also seen a considerable growth, with participation rates growing by more than half among boys, from 13% in 2019 to 20% in 2024, and tripling among girls, from 2.7% in 2019 to 8.7% in 2024. The percentage of student gamblers exhibiting a potentially harmful gambling profile has increased notably, nearly doubling from 4.7% in 2019 to 8.5% in 2024. While this proportion remains much higher among boys, the increase is more pronounced among girls. "Environmental and contextual factors play a more significant role in initiating gambling behaviour, while individual characteristics have a greater impact on the likelihood of being at risk," researchers Elisa Benedetti, Gabriele Lombardi, Rodolfo Cotichini, Sonia Cerrai, Marco Scalese, and Sabrina Molinaro stated in the study.
Business Insider
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
How Finnish online casinos are shaping the future of global digital gambling
In the last decade, Finland has emerged as a quiet but significant innovator in the global online gambling space. While much of the industry's media spotlight often lands on the giants of the UK, Malta, or Sweden, Finnish online casinos—especially those operating under the Pay N Play model—have quietly rewritten the rules of user experience, regulation, and trust. At the heart of this revolution lies a unique synergy between user-centered design and technical innovation. Finnish players, known for their discerning standards and tech-savvy behavior, have created a demand that pushes local operators to go beyond traditional online casino offerings. The result? A growing cohort of brands like Pikakasinot that emphasize speed, security, and simplicity above all else. A Seamless User Experience: The Rise of Pay N Play Finland has been a fertile ground for the Pay N Play model—an innovation developed by Trustly that allows players to deposit and play instantly without the lengthy registration processes typical in other markets. This model has been so successful in the Nordic region that it is now being studied and implemented across other parts of Europe and beyond. In an industry plagued by slow KYC (Know Your Customer) processes and clunky interfaces, Finnish Pay N Play casinos offer a breath of fresh air. The idea is simple but powerful: authenticate users via their bank credentials, deposit instantly, and withdraw winnings in minutes—all without creating a traditional casino account. Responsible Gambling Embedded in the UX What makes this trend even more important globally is how Finnish platforms incorporate responsible gambling tools into the very fabric of their user interfaces. Setting deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and real-time loss tracking aren't treated as regulatory afterthoughts but as essential components of the player journey. In fact, this proactive approach to player protection is what many industry observers believe gives Finnish casinos a competitive edge on the global stage. It's not just about flash or bonuses. It's about sustainability and ethics in digital gaming. Exporting the Model: Finnish Influence Abroad With European regulation getting tighter and user expectations rising, many global operators are taking cues from Finnish platforms. The emphasis on frictionless onboarding, mobile-first design, and transparent communication is becoming the gold standard, and much of that evolution can be traced back to Finnish innovation. Moreover, Finland's success is not going unnoticed. According to recent insights from the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), Northern European operators are now seen as the benchmark for clean, safe, and modern gambling platforms. This reputation opens the door for Finnish-style operators to enter new markets as consultants, white-label providers, or direct competitors. A New Era for Global Gambling In many ways, Finnish online casinos represent a new philosophy in digital gambling: less noise, more substance. And in an era where users are inundated with flashy offers and overcomplicated platforms, that minimalistic and ethical approach resonates. The global gambling industry is undergoing a structural shift. From payment methods to player protection, the winds of change are blowing north. And as more operators look to modernize their services, the Finnish model—embodied by platforms like increasingly becoming the blueprint.
