Spain’s online gambling market expanded rapidly in 2024, with official government data showing a 21.63% increase in the number of active online gamblers. The surge has been closely linked to the reintroduction of welcome bonuses—promotional offers used to attract new customers—which had been banned until April 2024 under Royal Decree 958/2020.
The Report on Gambling Activity in Spain, presented by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and the 2030 Agenda, revealed that nearly 2 million players (1,991,550) actively participated in online gambling throughout 2024. The Ministry emphasized that the timing of the increase coincides directly with the return of these bonus incentives, following a Supreme Court ruling that overturned several parts of the decree, including restrictions on promotions.
In response, Minister Pablo Bustinduy has backed an amendment to the upcoming Customer Service Law to once again prohibit welcome bonuses in online gambling. “We have to protect consumers from aggressive marketing practices,” the Minister stated, pointing to the over €140 million in sanctions issued against gambling operators in 2024.
Operator Profits and Player Activity Break Records
Gambling operators in Spain reported €8.108 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2024—profits calculated from the difference between total wagers and player payouts. State-licensed online gambling contributed €1.454 billion to this total, marking a 17.6% rise over the previous year.
Segment-specific figures revealed strong growth in most verticals:
- Online casinos brought in €730.71 million, up 16.96%
- Sports betting generated €608.85 million, with profits rising 23.8%
- Poker declined by 4.99% to €100.08 million
- Bingo saw a modest increase to €14.94 million
Traditional and live matched sports betting led the betting surge, while slot games were credited for the bulk of the casino segment’s growth. In contrast, poker was the only online category to post a year-on-year decline.
These financial gains were supported by increased gambling activity and aggressive promotional efforts. The DGOJ reported that the average number of monthly active accounts rose by 23.48% to 1.43 million. Meanwhile, new player registrations averaged 151,898 per month—a 34.73% increase compared to 2023. A total of 459,266 new players joined the market in 2024.
Marketing Spend Soars as Gender and Age Patterns Emerge
To capitalize on the renewed ability to offer signup incentives, operators spent more than €526 million on marketing. Of that amount, €261 million was allocated to promotions, €203 million to advertising, and over €56 million to affiliate marketing. Sponsorships accounted for another €5.45 million.
The Ministry’s accompanying “Annual Profile of the Online Gambler 2024” provided a closer look at the demographics behind the numbers. Among the nearly 2 million active players, 83.15% were male and 16.85% female. A significant 85.70% of these players were between 18 and 45 years of age, highlighting the appeal of online gambling among younger demographics.
Government Eyes Renewed Restrictions After Regional Review
For the first time, the report was produced in cooperation with Spain’s regional governments and validated by the Gaming Policy Council. This collaboration enabled detailed breakdowns of gambling data by region and type, along with information on self-exclusion registrations and regulatory sanctions.
The Ministry considers this broader data collection effort an important step toward transparency and more targeted regulation. Officials hope that these insights will help shape future policy decisions aimed at minimizing gambling-related harm while maintaining oversight of a highly profitable industry.
Despite existing advertising restrictions, the renewed availability of bonuses and digital promotions has made it harder to curb gambling participation. As a result, the Ministry continues to weigh stricter consumer protection measures without fully stifling the industry’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.