From Lottery to Land-Based to Online, Spanish Market Grows All Around in 2018

Lee R. - December 12, 2019

Industry

As things fall are clearly falling into place, the Spanish market may be maturing for a growth spurt.

According to new full term figures for 2018, online growth spurred significant growth in Spain's online sector to outpace a significant competitor.

Overall Growth

New figures released by Spain's gambling regulator Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) showed growth all around, indicating that Spain's gambling industry produced €7.77bn (£6.57bn/$8.48bn) in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2018 with the online sector rising 22.5% to bring in GGR of €812.0m.

Lottery Contributions

Lotteries actually led the contribution. The overall contributions included €4.21bn, for a 0.9% year-on-year jump. Sociedad Estatal Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (SELAE) lotteries contributed €3.14bn, with Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles (ONCE) bringing in another €1.03bn, with €4.13bn in lottery tickets purchased online.

Land-Based Contributions

Land-based continued strongly too, a nice surprise with online gambling driving so much growth everywhere. Land-based betting and casinos not including gaming machines or lotteries brought in €2.08bn, while casino accounted for €1.03bn, and bingo brought €593.9m for a 2.8% jump, with retail betting bringing €455.8m.

Online Contributions

Of the vital online gambling sector, the €812.0m represented a jump of 22.5% on €17.82bn worth of stakes. Revenue of €365.3m from online betting for (€850.6m) representing a healthy jump from 13.4% on €9.31bn worth of bets. SAMAE contributed €70.9m in online lottery sales and ONCE took in €14.6m from the same sector; while gaming machines and terminals took in €665.1m.

Outpacing the UK

These figures stand as a marked contrast to results from Great Britain's gambling commission ending 31 March 2019. UKGC statistics actually showed a drop in revenue for the British online sector declined. While the UK market is strong enough to adapt and recover, the comparative results certainly stand as a gold star for the adaptations Spain is making to succeed in a relatively new jurisdiction.

Outlook

The dual drivers of land-based and online performance indicate that Spain may have developed a model worth emulating.