Spain Online Gambling Soars 21% in 2024 Amid Return of Welcome Bonuses

Spain’s on-line playing market expanded quickly in 2024, with official authorities knowledge displaying a 21.63% enhance within the variety of lively on-line gamblers. The surge has been carefully linked to the reintroduction of welcome bonuses—promotional affords used to draw new clients—which had been banned till April 2024 beneath Royal Decree 958/2020.

The Report on Playing Exercise in Spain, introduced by the Ministry of Social Rights, Shopper Affairs, and the 2030 Agenda, revealed that just about 2 million gamers (1,991,550) actively participated in on-line playing all through 2024. The Ministry emphasised that the timing of the rise coincides straight with the return of those bonus incentives, following a Supreme Court docket ruling that overturned a number of elements of the decree, together with restrictions on promotions.

In response, Minister Pablo Bustinduy has backed an modification to the upcoming Buyer Service Legislation to as soon as once more prohibit welcome bonuses in on-line playing. “We now have to guard customers from aggressive advertising practices,” the Minister said, pointing to the over €140 million in sanctions issued in opposition to playing operators in 2024.

Operator Income and Participant Exercise Break Information

Playing operators in Spain reported €8.108 billion in gross gaming income (GGR) in 2024—earnings calculated from the distinction between whole wagers and participant payouts. State-licensed on-line playing contributed €1.454 billion to this whole, marking a 17.6% rise over the earlier 12 months.

Phase-specific figures revealed sturdy progress in most verticals:

On-line casinos introduced in €730.71 million, up 16.96%
Sports activities betting generated €608.85 million, with earnings rising 23.8%
Poker declined by 4.99% to €100.08 million
Bingo noticed a modest enhance to €14.94 million

Conventional and stay matched sports activities betting led the betting surge, whereas slot video games have been credited for the majority of the on line casino phase’s progress. In distinction, poker was the one on-line class to publish a year-on-year decline.

These monetary positive factors have been supported by elevated playing exercise and aggressive promotional efforts. The DGOJ reported that the typical variety of month-to-month lively accounts rose by 23.48% to 1.43 million. In the meantime, new participant registrations averaged 151,898 per thirty days—a 34.73% enhance in comparison with 2023. A complete of 459,266 new gamers joined the market in 2024.

Advertising and marketing Spend Soars as Gender and Age Patterns Emerge

To capitalize on the renewed capacity to supply signup incentives, operators spent greater than €526 million on advertising. Of that quantity, €261 million was allotted to promotions, €203 million to promoting, and over €56 million to internet online affiliate marketing. Sponsorships accounted for one more €5.45 million.

The Ministry’s accompanying “Annual Profile of the On-line Gambler 2024” supplied a better have a look at the demographics behind the numbers. Among the many almost 2 million lively gamers, 83.15% have been male and 16.85% feminine. A big 85.70% of those gamers have been between 18 and 45 years of age, highlighting the attraction of on-line playing amongst youthful demographics.

Authorities Eyes Renewed Restrictions After Regional Evaluation

For the primary time, the report was produced in cooperation with Spain’s regional governments and validated by the Gaming Coverage Council. This collaboration enabled detailed breakdowns of playing knowledge by area and kind, together with info on self-exclusion registrations and regulatory sanctions.

The Ministry considers this broader knowledge assortment effort an essential step towards transparency and extra focused regulation. Officers hope that these insights will assist form future coverage choices aimed toward minimizing gambling-related hurt whereas sustaining oversight of a extremely worthwhile trade.

Regardless of present promoting restrictions, the renewed availability of bonuses and digital promotions has made it tougher to curb playing participation. In consequence, the Ministry continues to weigh stricter client safety measures with out absolutely stifling the trade’s momentum.

Sources:

Consumo alerta de que el número de jugadores ha aumentado más de un 20% gracias a los bonos de bienvenida que ofrecen las casas de apuestas, dsca.gob.es, July 31, 2025.