DGOJ reports Spain Q2 2025 gambling revenue up 18.6%

The Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), Spain’s national gaming regulator, has published its official financial report for the second quarter of 2025. The latest figures reveal significant year-on-year growth across deposits, withdrawals, and gross gaming revenue (GGR), demonstrating the continued strength and resilience of the regulated gambling market in Spain.

At the same time, however, a closer inspection of quarter-on-quarter data paints a more nuanced picture, with certain segments slowing down or showing signs of contraction despite the overall positive trajectory.

Year-on-year growth demonstrates a strong market

According to the DGOJ’s official statistics, Spain recorded gross gaming revenue (GGR) of €410.3 million for Q2 2025. This represents an 18.6% increase compared with the same period in 2024. The figures reflect steady demand across regulated betting and casino segments, supported by an ongoing rise in customer engagement and a marked increase in marketing activity.

Deposits reached €1.35 billion, a 23.7% year-on-year increase, while withdrawals totaled €962.9 million, rising 28.9%. These figures indicate not only higher player spending but also suggest that operators returned more winnings to consumers, broadly in line with the growth trend.

The regulator further noted an 11.7% increase in newly registered accounts, with 504,853 players joining regulated platforms during the quarter. Market observers point to a 37.1% year-on-year rise in marketing expenditure, totaling €164.5 million, as a contributing factor to this expansion.

Quarter-on-quarter performance shows mixed results

While year-on-year comparisons are strongly positive, the quarter-on-quarter data suggests that growth momentum is uneven.

Gross gaming revenue improved by 2.8% from Q1 2025. However, deposits declined by 0.4%, while withdrawals remained broadly stable. Marketing spend dropped by 0.2%, indicating that operators may have slightly scaled back promotional activity compared with the first quarter.

The most notable decline was observed in new player registrations, which fell by 11.6% compared to the previous quarter. Analysts attribute this decline partly to seasonal effects and partly to a stabilization of the market following the surge experienced after the reintroduction of promotional offers in 2024.

Casino segment continues to lead market growth

When analyzing the distribution of gross gaming revenue across betting categories, online casino maintained its position as the market leader. The sector accounted for 52.7% of total GGR in Q2, generating €216.4 million.

Sports betting followed closely, contributing 41.8% of GGR, or €171.4 million. Poker accounted for 4.7% (€19.1 million), while bingo made up 0.8% (€3.4 million).

The casino segment posted particularly strong year-on-year growth of 26%, with quarter-on-quarter revenues up by 6.5%. Slot machines were the largest driver of growth, with revenues rising 33.6% compared to the previous year. Other traditional games such as blackjack, roulette (both live and conventional), and newer digital formats also contributed positively, though with more moderate increases of under 10% quarter-on-quarter.

Trends in betting and sports wagering

The sports betting segment showed contrasting dynamics depending on the timeframe considered. Quarter-on-quarter, betting revenues increased by 18.2%, while year-on-year growth was a more modest 2.7%.

Pre-match betting recorded a 24.6% increase compared to the first quarter of the year. By contrast, in-play betting fell sharply, with a 33.2% decline quarter-on-quarter. This divergence suggests a possible shift in player preferences or market behavior. Specific categories, such as horseracing, posted a small but notable increase of 3.2%, indicating stable niche interest in traditional betting verticals.

Bingo and poker performance

Bingo experienced a contraction, with revenues declining both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter by 6.4% and 6.9%, respectively. Despite its long-standing cultural association in Spain, bingo appears to be losing ground in the online environment compared with faster-growing segments such as slots and live casino games.

Poker generated €19.1 million in GGR, representing 4.7% of the market. While poker remains a consistent component of Spain’s online gambling mix, it continues to be outpaced by casino and sports betting in terms of growth momentum.

Number of licensed operators and market structure

Spain currently has 77 licensed operators active in its regulated online gambling market. This relatively high number of license holders contributes to a competitive environment, offering players a wide range of options across sports betting, casino, poker, and bingo.

The DGOJ has consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining strict oversight and regulatory compliance, ensuring that operators meet Spain’s responsible gambling and player protection requirements. The regulator’s quarterly reports play a crucial role in maintaining transparency and accountability across the sector.

Impact of marketing and promotional activity

Marketing expenditure remains one of the most significant drivers of player acquisition in Spain’s regulated gambling industry. For Q2 2025, marketing spend totaled €164.5 million, up 37.1% compared with Q2 2024, though slightly down on the previous quarter.

A notable detail within the report was the sharp 53% quarter-on-quarter rise in sponsorship-related expenses. This indicates that operators have been increasingly investing in long-term visibility through sports and entertainment partnerships, rather than solely focusing on direct advertising or short-term bonuses.

The reintroduction of welcome bonuses in 2024 has also had a pronounced impact. Gambling participation rose by over 20% following this regulatory adjustment, and the trend appears to have carried into 2025.

Player activity and account data

The average number of active gaming accounts per month reached 1,704,172 during Q2 2025. This figure marks a 21% increase compared to the same period last year, although it is down 2.4% from Q1 2025.

These figures reflect both the growth of the player base in the long term and short-term seasonal or cyclical variations. Despite the quarter-on-quarter decline, Spain’s gambling market continues to expand at a steady pace, supported by rising consumer engagement and strong product diversification.

Outlook for Spain’s regulated gambling sector

The overall performance of Spain’s regulated gambling market in Q2 2025 demonstrates resilience and continued growth potential. The combination of increased marketing activity, a competitive operator landscape, and the appeal of casino products has helped sustain positive year-on-year results.

Nevertheless, the mixed quarter-on-quarter picture indicates that the market may face stabilization in certain areas, particularly new player registrations and specific verticals such as bingo.

Looking forward, the sustainability of this growth will likely depend on how operators adapt to evolving consumer behavior, regulatory requirements, and broader economic conditions. The DGOJ’s continued oversight ensures that growth is balanced with responsible gambling measures, protecting consumers while maintaining market integrity.

Conclusion

Spain’s regulated gambling market has demonstrated robust year-on-year growth in the second quarter of 2025, with gross gaming revenue, deposits, and withdrawals all rising at double-digit rates. The casino segment continues to dominate the market, supported by strong consumer engagement with slots and live gaming products, while sports betting has shown a more complex trajectory, balancing gains in pre-match wagering against declines in in-play activity.

Although quarter-on-quarter data indicates areas of slowdown, such as reduced new account registrations and a decline in bingo revenues, the overall picture remains one of resilience and sustained expansion. Marketing and sponsorship investments, alongside regulatory adjustments such as the reintroduction of welcome bonuses, have further shaped the market’s dynamics, contributing to higher player participation.

The role of the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego remains central in ensuring that this growth is aligned with principles of fairness, transparency, and consumer protection. As Spain’s gambling sector matures, the challenge will lie in balancing commercial success with regulatory compliance and responsible gambling safeguards. If current trends continue, Spain is likely to remain one of Europe’s most significant regulated gambling markets, marked by steady growth and a strong commitment to oversight.

FAQs

What is the DGOJ?
The Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) is Spain’s national gambling regulator, responsible for licensing, oversight, and reporting.

How much was Spain’s gross gaming revenue in Q2 2025?
Spain recorded gross gaming revenue (GGR) of €410.3 million in Q2 2025, an increase of 18.6% year-on-year.

Which segment contributed most to revenue?
The casino segment was the largest contributor, accounting for 52.7% of GGR, or €216.4 million.

How did sports betting perform?
Sports betting contributed €171.4 million in Q2 2025, with pre-match betting growing but in-play betting declining.

How many operators are licensed in Spain?
There are currently 77 licensed operators in Spain’s regulated gambling market.

Why did new accounts decline quarter-on-quarter?
New accounts fell by 11.6% compared with Q1 2025, likely due to seasonal factors and market stabilization after promotional changes.

What role does marketing play in gambling growth?
Marketing expenditure rose 37.1% year-on-year, significantly boosting new account registrations and overall participation.

Did bingo revenues increase?
No, bingo revenues fell by 6.4% year-on-year and 6.9% quarter-on-quarter, showing a decline in popularity.

What are the average active accounts per month?
Spain recorded an average of 1.7 million active gaming accounts per month in Q2 2025.

What is the outlook for Spain’s gambling market?
The outlook remains positive, with strong year-on-year growth, though some short-term segments show signs of stabilization.