The DGOJ recently published its latest financial data, reporting that the gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the period was €240.83 million (US$257.31 million). This implies an increase of 18% compared to the previous quarter, and 31% compared to the same quarter a year earlier.
The numbers underpin an activity that is increasingly adding new followers in the country. Some of the factors that explain this growth include an increase in the use of tech devices and overall investments in a digital society in Spain.
Digital Gains Ground
Per the DGOJ data, €127.95 million (US$136.7 million) of the total, or 53%, went to online casino gaming. It was followed by the sports betting vertical, with €89.04 million (US$95.12 million). This was enough to capture 37% of the total.
Online poker jumped as well, adding 8.4% over the same period a year earlier, when it closed at €20.14 million (US$21.45 million). This was a drop of 10.6% from the previous quarter.
Thanks to its €3.68 million (US$3.92 million), Bingo saw a quarter-over-quarter increase of 9.6% and a year-on-year increase of 4.6%. Lastly, online sweepstakes grabbed a mere €300,000 (US$319,500).
The sports betting segment grew 46% compared to the previous quarter, and 49% compared to the same quarter last year. Conventional straight bets increased by 19% and direct bets by 76%, compared to the previous quarter.
Horse race betting decreased by 33%, while straight bets on other activities registered a quarter-over-quarter increase of 99%.
Shifting the Paradigm
In addition to the increase in digital technology usage, one of the big factors behind the increase in online gaming is COVID-19. The arrival of the pandemic caused the closure of many casinos and physical gaming venues. This generated a significant loss of profits, and forced the gaming industry to seek alternative sources of income. It also served as a catalyst for the growth of the entire digital ecosystem.
Amid the COVID-19-induced lockdowns, people had fewer entertainment options, and the Internet became more popular. As a result, more people embraced online gaming and never looked back.
Currently, the online gaming industry is seeking ways to improve its users’ experience. Operators and developers are relying more on data measurement tools and cutting-edge innovation to create new options. The result is an even higher degree of interest that is driving even more innovation and advancement.
Previous analysis has shown that online gaming is one of the biggest drivers of the Spanish economy, and as a result, the gaming industry will likely look very different 10 years from now.
