Italian Online Gambling Market Expands as Casino and Poker Segments Surge

Online Casino Segment Leads Growth

The online casino market remained Italy’s strongest segment, showing a 22.4% year-on-year increase in spending, reaching €241.1 million, with a 5.7% monthly rise.

As reported by Deally.eu, Lottomatica strengthened its dominance, nearing a 30% market share, while Sisal held its ground as the second-largest operator with over 10%, and 888 surpassed Snai.

Stabilized Growth in Online Betting

The online betting sector exhibited slower growth compared to the casino segment, posting a 1.7% year-on-year increase, totaling €112.1 million for September 2024.

Despite a 21.2% drop month-on-month, Lottomatica’s influence in the betting market grew, nearing a 30% market share. Sisal, Bet365, and Snai all maintained over 10% market share in this segment.

Rebound in Poker Tournaments

The poker tournament segment showed signs of a rebound, achieving an 8% increase year-on-year, with spending reaching €9.5 million.

This represented a monthly growth of 14.5%. PokerStars reclaimed a substantial share, holding over 40% of the market, with Lottomatica and Sisal following at 19% and 11%, respectively.

Ongoing Decline in Poker Cash Games

In contrast, the poker cash game segment faced a continued decline, with an 8.6% year-on-year decrease in spending, ending September at €4.8 million.

However, it saw a minor monthly uptick of 5.5%. PokerStars remained dominant, holding over 35% of this market.

Demographic Trends and Regulatory Response

The Italian online gaming landscape is witnessing a shift as young to middle-aged males increasingly gravitate towards casino games like slots and roulette.

Betting remains popular, with football at the forefront, though casino-based gaming is on the rise. To address these trends, Italy’s Gaming Authority (ADM) has introduced measures like self-exclusion and deposit limits to ensure responsible gambling.