DGOJ reports 21.6% growth in Spanish gambling activity

The Directorate-General for the Regulation of Gambling (Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego, DGOJ), the Spanish authority overseeing online gambling activities, has published its 2024 executive summary on player behavior and market activity. The data reveals a significant year-on-year surge in participation, with nearly two million active players recorded during the year.

This latest report highlights key demographic and behavioral patterns among online gamblers in Spain, providing critical insights for operators, policymakers, and researchers. It also reflects broader economic and social trends influencing gambling behavior, including generational shifts, regulatory developments, and changes in marketing investment.

Key player growth and demographic insights

In 2024, the number of active players reached 1,991,550 — a 21.6% increase compared to the previous year. This is one of the sharpest upticks in recent years, suggesting a growing normalization and expansion of online gambling across the country.

Demographic breakdown:

Gender: Male players accounted for a dominant 83.15% of the total, while female players made up only 16.85%.

Age distribution: The age group 18–45 comprised 85.7% of all players, reaffirming the strong representation of younger adults in Spain’s online gambling market.

Player frequency: The average number of monthly players was 953,182, and the average player remained active for 5.74 months. However, a significant portion — 21.9% — discontinued activity within their first month.

The concentration of players within the 18–45 age range suggests that online gambling remains most attractive to younger, digital-native users. This trend is consistent with broader patterns across the European Union, where online platforms are reshaping traditional gambling preferences.

Game preferences and market segmentation

According to the DGOJ, sports betting remained the most popular category of online gambling, attracting 1,568,197 players — a 25.4% increase compared to 2023.

Casino games also experienced strong growth, with player numbers rising by 29.2%. This segment includes slots, roulette, blackjack, and other traditional games adapted for online formats.

Poker, while less dominant than the first two, still recorded a respectable increase of 13%.

Notably, 52% of users reported playing only one type of game. This may indicate a relatively compartmentalized player base, with specific interests rather than diversified gambling behavior. Among those who played a single game type, sports betting and casino gaming were the two leading choices.

Spending behavior: Player expenditure trends

The DGOJ's report includes a detailed breakdown of financial behavior among online players, based on data sourced from registered gambling platforms.

Average annual spend:

The typical player spent approximately €706 annually, or around €13.57 per week. This figure is based solely on online gamblers and does not include the wider adult population, offering a more accurate view of behavior within the regulated market.

Gender comparison:

Men spent significantly more than women on average:

• Men: €740 annually
• Women: €538 annually

Age-related expenditure patterns:

• Highest spenders: Players aged 46–55, with an average annual spend of €1,146
• Lowest spenders: Players aged 18–25, with an annual spend of just €299

These findings reinforce longstanding observations in gambling research: older players tend to have higher disposable income and may engage more consistently, while younger players exhibit shorter activity durations and lower financial commitments.

Profitability and net expenditure

Interestingly, 21.3% of all players recorded a net profit from their gambling activities in 2024. However, only a small fraction — 5% — earned net prizes exceeding €489.

On the other hand, 35% of players experienced a net expenditure of over €147, indicating that while the majority did not suffer heavy financial losses, a sizable segment did report significant net spending.

These numbers suggest a mixed landscape: while some players achieved modest profits or balanced outcomes, others spent far more than they earned — a pattern that underscores the need for effective consumer protection and harm reduction strategies.

The Safe Gambling Program 2026–2030

To address the growing size of the market and emerging risk factors, the DGOJ has prepared a preliminary version of its Safe Gambling Strategy for the period 2026 to 2030. This initiative aims to enhance player protection measures, promote responsible gambling, and strengthen regulatory oversight.

The draft proposal is currently undergoing consultation. Stakeholders, including industry representatives, advocacy groups, and public health organizations, have until August 2025 to submit feedback and recommendations.

Key focus areas of the Safe Gambling Program include:

• Improved identification of at-risk users
• Mandatory self-exclusion protocols
• Responsible marketing practices
• Enhanced transparency in game mechanics and payout disclosures

This program reflects the DGOJ's broader commitment to minimizing gambling-related harm and fostering a sustainable and accountable online gambling environment.

Broader market context and revenue growth

The player growth data aligns closely with revenue figures published in the 2024 State Online Gaming Market report. According to that release, Spain's gross gaming revenue (GGR) rose by 17.6%, reaching €1.45 billion.

Other key financial metrics include:

• Deposits: Increased by 19.6%
• Withdrawals: Increased by 19.7%
• Marketing spend: Increased by 30.4%, totaling €526.3 million

The sharp rise in marketing investment appears to have played a role in the surge of new players. However, the 21.6% increase in active players was not directly proportional to the 30.4% rise in marketing expenditure, suggesting that while advertising efforts have borne fruit, diminishing returns may be setting in.

This divergence points to a maturing market where brand recognition, player loyalty, and product differentiation may increasingly determine operator success, rather than sheer ad volume.

Legal and regulatory considerations

With growing market participation and marketing pressure, Spain’s regulatory apparatus — led by the DGOJ — faces renewed scrutiny. Stakeholders have raised concerns over player vulnerability, particularly among young adults, and the potential for excessive gambling behavior.

The publication of the Safe Gambling Program and continued data transparency mark a proactive regulatory approach. Nevertheless, close monitoring will be essential as the sector continues to expand and diversify.

The Spanish legal framework remains one of the more robust in the EU, with restrictions on advertising, limits on promotional bonuses, and requirements for real-time player monitoring. Any significant deviations from this model in the future may attract further legal or political attention.

Industry outlook for 2025 and beyond

As the Spanish online gambling market matures, operators are likely to face increasing regulatory demands, particularly in areas such as advertising transparency, data reporting, and responsible gambling.

While growth indicators remain strong, the industry may also see a shift toward:

• Product innovation: Including immersive casino experiences and esports betting
• Stronger compliance mechanisms: Especially in light of pan-EU digital governance trends
• Increased public debate: Regarding gambling’s social costs and public health consequences

The DGOJ’s consistent release of data and stakeholder engagement sets an important precedent for regulatory accountability, but also foreshadows a more restrictive compliance environment ahead.

Conclusion

The 2024 executive summary published by Spain’s gambling regulator, the DGOJ, offers a comprehensive and data-driven view of the current state of the country’s online gambling market. With nearly two million active players and a sharp 21.6% year-on-year increase, the findings confirm that online gambling continues to grow in both reach and impact. The dominance of male users and younger age groups, along with strong preferences for sports betting and casino games, paints a detailed picture of Spain’s digital gambling landscape.

However, these trends also underscore the importance of continued regulatory vigilance. The disparities in spending across age and gender groups, as well as the modest percentage of players achieving net profits, suggest a complex environment where not all participation leads to positive outcomes. The launch of the Safe Gambling Program 2026–2030 signals the DGOJ’s recognition of these challenges and its intent to reinforce consumer protection measures in response.

As operators navigate an increasingly competitive and scrutinized market, maintaining compliance, prioritizing responsible gambling, and adapting to changing regulatory expectations will be essential. Spain's approach—grounded in transparency, data analysis, and preventive regulation—may well serve as a model for other jurisdictions seeking to balance market growth with public health and ethical responsibility.

FAQs

What is the DGOJ?
The DGOJ is the Directorate-General for the Regulation of Gambling, Spain’s official regulatory body overseeing online gambling activities.

How many active online players were recorded in Spain in 2024?
There were 1,991,550 active online gambling players in 2024, marking a 21.6% increase from the previous year.

What age group was most represented among players?
Players aged between 18 and 45 accounted for 85.7% of all active gamblers in 2024.

Which form of gambling was the most popular in Spain?
Sports betting attracted the largest number of players, followed by online casino gaming and poker.

What was the average annual expenditure per player?
The average player spent €706 per year, or about €13.57 per week.

Did most players make a profit?
No, only 21.3% of players reported a net profit, and just 5% earned more than €489 in winnings.

How much did marketing spending increase in 2024?
Marketing expenditures rose by 30.4% compared to the previous year, reaching €526.3 million.

What is the Safe Gambling Program 2026–2030?
It is a draft initiative from the DGOJ aimed at promoting responsible gambling and reducing harm, currently open for consultation.

Who spent the most money on gambling in 2024?
Players aged 46–55 spent the most on average, with an annual expenditure of €1,146.

What proportion of players only engaged in one type of gambling?
About 52% of players engaged with only one game category, most commonly sports betting or casino games.