According to the annual end-of-year market data report published by the EGBA in partnership with H2 Gambling Capital, the increase follows the reopening of land-based gambling venues.

The ‘European Online Gambling – Key Figures 2022’ report shows that Europe’s gambling market revenue increased by 23% to €108.5bn ($115.15bn) in 2022, driven by the reopening of betting shops and casinos.

“After the widespread shutdown of land-based gambling venues and subsequent declines in Europe’s gambling market revenue in 2020 and 2021, gambling market revenue stabilised this year at 8% above 2019’s pre-pandemic revenue levels,” a statement from the EGBA read.

The body added that there has been growth in online, with gross gaming revenue (GGR) reaching €38.2bn, an 8% increase compared to 2021. Land-based revenue meanwhile ‘rebounded significantly’ to €70.3bn, up 34% from 2021 but down 6% from 2019.

EGBA Secretary General Maarten Haijer commented: “Europe’s gambling market began to stabilise this year following the unprecedented upheaval and disruption of the pandemic. 

“While the steady upward trend of online gambling continues, land-based gambling is now rebounding from the widespread shutdowns of casinos and betting shops during the past two years.”

Haijer also touched on the positives that the many surprise results of the recent 2022 World Cup generated, saying: “The World Cup provided an uplift for operators this year, with several unexpected match results being friendly to the bookmakers.”