From the dice games played in Ancient Rome to the establishment of the first casinos in 17th century Venice, gambling has been ingrained in European culture for centuries. Millions of people across the continent participate in some form of gambling, whether that’s taking a trip to the local casino or betting shop or logging on to play casino games from their smartphone.
Top casino games include poker, blackjack and slots. Slots is one example of a game that is excellent to play on mobile and you can explore top-rated apps for slots online. As technology has evolved in recent decades, accessibility to gambling has increased and more people are placing bets and playing games from the comfort of their own home.
In Europe, each country has its own attitudes and laws in regards to offline and online gambling activities, with some being more prohibitive than others. The United Kingdom has the biggest gambling market with the highest revenue, followed by Italy, Germany, France and then Spain.
In total, the European gambling market was worth an estimated 81.1 billion euros in 2020 and this is expected to increase significantly to 126.3 billion euros by 2026. In the United Kingdom, land based betting was estimated to be worth £629.26 million pounds and this has continued to rise in the years since.
We take a deep dive into some of the countries with the biggest gambling markets and take a look at where the best places to enjoy casino gaming and betting are:
United Kingdom
First up is the top gambling destination in Europe. In the United Kingdom, both online and offline gambling is permitted and heavily regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. The Commission is an authority that provides licensing and ensures all gambling establishments operate fairly and transparently.
Ever since the 1960s Gambling Act was established, the industry has grown and thrived here. England’s capital city, London, is one of the best places to visit for those seeking land based casinos. For example, The Hippodrome Casino is one of the largest venues in Europe.
Located in the bustling Leicester Square, The Hippodrome Casino offers an array of games and is a complete entertainment destination with live shows, plenty of food options and a number of bars. For high rollers, the Ritz Club at the famous luxury Ritz Hotel provides high stakes games in a charming setting.
Italy
In Italy, both online and offline gambling is legalised and is regulated by the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM). For gambling tourists, Venice is the most popular choice due to its glamorous casino venues. The Casino di Venezia is in fact one of the oldest casinos in the entire world and continues to offer traditional games as well as more modern electronic options.
Rome is another Italian gambling hotspot with casinos such as the Casino de la Vallée in nearby Saint-Vincent being popular with both tourists and local visitors.
Germany
In Germany, the gambling laws are a lot more varied and each of the 16 federal states have their own legislation regarding all sorts of gambling activities. Land based gambling and casino gaming is legalised and regulated and more states are updating regulations in order to permit online activities and provide licensing.
The Spielbank Berlin is a big attraction in Berlin and offers a wide range of games, including poker, blackjack and roulette. The casino in Baden Baden is targeted at high rollers and provides a luxurious and exclusive gaming experience for wealthy guests.
France
A new gambling regulator named L’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ) was introduced in France in 2020. Online sports betting is particularly popular in this country with 4.5 million player accounts on betting sites being active in 2021.
Spain
Sports betting and casino gaming are much loved pastimes in Spain. Both online and offline gambling is legal and regulated here with The Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) overseeing online operations.
Casino Barcelona is a top venue choice in Barcelona. It is particularly popular with poker players as it often plays host for international tournaments throughout the year.
What does the future hold for the gambling industry in Europe?
The gambling market is thriving in Europe and as other countries see the success of the industry in destinations such as the United Kingdom and Italy, we can expect more of them to change legislation to permit and regulate gambling activities. As technological advancements continue to take place, online gambling will become even more widely accessible and player numbers are likely to continue to rise in the years ahead.
From bustling casinos in London to renowned historical casinos like the Casino di Venezia in Venice, there are venue options to suit all types of gambling enthusiasts.