Gambling Participation Trends in Europe: Navigating Data Discrepancies

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Denitsa Lyutskanova

Denitsa Lyutskanova Chief Editor

Denitsa Lyutskanova is the Head of Content at iGaming.com and a passionate advocate for Safer Gambling. With over a decade of experience in digital marketing, she has been with the company since 2011, working across 20+ markets. Denitsa leads a growing team of 30+ talented content writers and editors, driving impactful content strategies while promoting responsible gaming practices.

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· Chief Editor Last Updated: July 17, 2025

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Navigating gambling participation trends in Europe is not a simple task. Significant variations in data exist across sources. In the short video above, iGaming’s CEO, Prof. Dr. Andreas Ditsche, sheds light on this challenge.

At the 2025 Gaming in Spain Conference, Prof. Dr. Ditsche gave a striking example. According to the annual DGOJ report, about 50% of the Spanish population has gambled in the last 12 months. However, other official sources put this at more than 80%.

So, which one is accurate? And with discrepancies being so substantial, how can a business decide what figures to trust? Moreover, can such conflicting data be used for efficient decision-making?

The Relationship Between Cultural Norms and Gambling Law

Prof. Dr. Ditsche also explores how cultural norms influence gambling regulations and vice versa. He argues that in Spain, where up to 80% of the population participates in such activities, they’re most likely socially acceptable.

In Germany, on the other hand, gambling is not something that’s publicly talked about – it’s a secret, almost taboo activity. This has led to overregulation, making the legal market less attractive and pushing players to unlicensed platforms.

You can listen to the full speech on YouTube. In it, Prof. Dr. Ditsche discusses a data-driven analysis of Spanish and global players and their behaviors.

Keep up with the latest news and insights from the international gambling scene at iGamingCare.