This analysis reviews European gaming data from February 2025 to February 2026, based on an average of 6.2 million active players per month. The report covers four key markets: Spain, Greece, Italy and the UK. It tracks five key indicators: monthly deposit amount, sports betting amount, casino betting amount, player activity days and customer retention rate.
Key findings and insights
- Beginning of the year corrections: A consistent trend across all metrics is an upward trajectory until December, followed by a small contraction at the beginning of the year. This seasonal pattern suggests increased player spending during the holiday period, followed by a natural correction.
- Engagement versus spending: While Greece leads in activity days, retention rates and monthly deposits, Spain often leads in casino spend, and Italy leads in sports betting, suggesting that engagement and deposits do not always translate into bets.
- Sports upward trends: While the ‘post-holiday slump’ affected other metrics in general, the return of elite-level competitive sports acts as a catalyst, capturing a larger share of the player’s wallet.
Average monthly total deposit amount
Over the last 12 months, Greece has maintained a dominant upward trend, peaking in December 2025 before a slight seasonal dip. Italy showed more volatility, while Spain and the UK remained more stable at the lower end. Most countries saw a slight year-over-year increase, indicating market growth.
Comparing February 2026 to January 2026, deposits trended slightly downward: Greece fell from $572 to $537, Italy dropped from $435 to $429 and the UK decreased from $261 to $242. Conversely, Spain was the sole outlier, rising slightly from $295 to $298.
Overall averages:
- Greece:
February 2026: $537
12-month trailing average: $532
- Italy:
February 2026: $429
12-month trailing average: $379
- Spain:
February 2026: $298
12-month trailing average: $275
- UK:
February 2026: $242
12-month trailing average: $244
Definition of average deposit amount: The average deposit amount is calculated by taking the total sum of all deposits and dividing it by the number of sports and casino bettors (players) who have made at least one deposit.
Average total monthly casino betting amount
The 12-month trend reveals a clear hierarchy with Spain and Greece competing for the top spot, and both countries showing a year-over-year growth, with Greece having more fluctuation. The UK maintains a stable upward trend near $1,000, indicating a more constant, but growing market.
In the most recent comparison, February 2026 saw a drop in casino betting in most markets compared to January and the peak at the end of the year. UK was the only market to maintain steady growth, showing a slight increase.
Overall Averages:
- Spain:
February 2026: $2,972
12-month trailing average: $2,876
- Greece:
February 2026: $2,618
12-month trailing average: $2,719
- Italy:
February 2026: $2,116
12-month trailing average: $2,112
- UK:
February 2026: $1,152
12-month trailing average: $1,114
Definition of total monthly casino bet amount: The average casino bet amount is the total sum of all casino bets and divided by the number of bettors who have placed at least one casino bet.
Average total monthly sports betting amount
Italy has been the undisputed leader in sports betting volume, and also the market that has shown the greatest volatility. It recorded two peaks, one in July 2025 and another in October, probably related to football. Greece and Spain show less volatility and a more pronounced growth trend, while the UK, in last place, shows less intense seasonal peaks and a constant upward trend.
Between January 2026 and February 2026, sports betting activity showed growth in most markets. Greece was the only country to record a decline, slipping from $891 in January to $869 in February. This suggests strengthening interest in sports wagering as major European football leagues enter critical phases in late winter.
Overall Averages:
- Italy:
February 2026: $1,400
12-month trailing average: $1,195
- Greece:
February 2026: $869
12-month trailing average: $823
- Spain:
February 2026: $765
12-month trailing average: $701
- UK:
February 2026: $384
12-month trailing average: $356
Definition of total monthly sport bet amount: The average sport betting amount is the total sum of all sports bets divided by the number of bettors who have placed at least one sports bet.
Average number of activity days per active player
Greece consistently records the highest engagement, averaging nearly 12 days of activity per month throughout 2025. The other three markets show very similar engagement, with Italy and Spain showing a dip during the summer months.
Comparing February 2026 to January 2026, activity days have generally decreased. Greece fell from 11.7 to 11.0 days, UK dropped from 8.7 to 7.9 days, and there was a slight decline in Italy from 9.8 to 9.5 days. Spain remained relatively flat, going from 9.4 to 9.2 days.
Overall Averages:
- Greece:
February 2026: 11.0 days
12-month trailing average: 11.9 days
- Italy:
February 2026: 9.2 days
12-month trailing average: 9.0 days
- Spain:
February 2026: 9.5 days
12-month trailing average: 9.1 days
- UK:
February 2026: 7.9 days
12-month trailing average: 8.6 days
Definition of average activity days: The average number of activity days is the total number of activity days divided by the number of bettors who have at least one activity day.
Average active customer retention rate
Greece maintains the highest retention rates, consistently staying above 80% for most of the year. The other three countries remained above 70% for much of the year, with Italy recording the most significant drops, one in June and another in September 2025, followed by a strong recovery.
From January 2026 to February 2026, retention rates have trended downward across the board. Greece dropped from 85% to 82%, Italy from 81% to 75%, Spain from 80% to 76% and the UK from 79% to 76%. This suggests that while players were highly active during the December/January holiday period, a portion of that audience did not return in February.
Countries’ Overall Averages:
- Greece:
February 2026: 82%
12-month trailing average: 83%
- UK:
February 2026: 76%
12-month trailing average: 77%
- Spain:
February 2026: 75%
12-month trailing average: 77%
- Italy:
February 2026: 75%
12-month trailing average: 74%
Definition of active retention rate: The percentage of bettors who were active in the preceding month and remained active in the current month
The post Optimove: Greece maintains lead for activity days, retention rates and deposits first appeared on EGR Intel.
Comparisons of four large European markets by research analyst Roni Karmi finds Italy still the undisputed leader in sports betting volumes during February
The post Optimove: Greece maintains lead for activity days, retention rates and deposits first appeared on EGR Intel.