The April 2025 Optimove Europe Gaming Pulse Report analyses betting behaviour across Greece, Italy, Spain and the UK, based on a 12-month average of over 6.2 million active players per month. The report highlights strong engagement and retention in Southern Europe, with Greece leading across nearly all key performance metrics.
The clear divide between Southern Europe (Greece, Spain, Italy) and the UK underscores that Southern Europe is the growth frontier while the UK offers regulatory-tested maturity and is a model for compliance and sustainable engagement.
- Greece dominates key metrics
Greece consistently outperformed other countries, with the highest average monthly deposit amount ($522 in April), second-highest casino betting volume ($2,591) and leading sports betting volume ($859). Greece also maintained the highest user engagement (12.18 average activity days) and retention (84% in April). - Spain leads in casino wagers
Spain reported the highest total casino betting amount in April ($2,811), supported by consistent growth and high engagement (9.3 average activity days). Sports betting volume remained strong at $717 in April, close behind Greece. - UK trails but shows gradual progress
The UK had the lowest averages in deposits in April ($202), casino ($1,067) and sports bets ($278) in April. Moreover, the active retention rate had a slight decline in April to 74%. - Italy shows moderate and stable performance:
Italy maintained mid-range deposit levels ($282 in April) and saw modest performance in both casino ($1,753) and sports betting ($418). Engagement (7.8 days) and retention (78%) were slightly below the Southern European average but remained stable.
Greece is firmly positioned as the leader in player deposits, betting activity, engagement, and loyalty — making it a strategic market for igaming operators seeking long-term value. Spain’s strength in casino betting further underscores Southern Europe’s potential. Meanwhile, the UK’s relatively lower deposits, sports bets and retention rates are emblematic of a resilient and mature regulated market, offering stable benchmarks for sustainable growth across the region.
Report metrics
- Source: Betting trends in select European countries in the trailing 12 months (April 2024-2025).
- Countries: Greece, Italy, Spain, the UK.
- Database: A 12-month average of 6.2 million active players per month.
Category: Average deposit amount
Key finding: Average deposit amounts greatest in Greece
Total monthly average deposit amount across select European countries
Greece consistently leads in average monthly deposit amounts, maintaining the highest values among the four European countries tracked in this report.
Italy and Spain remain in the middle range, with relatively stable fluctuations throughout the year. The UK continues to have the lowest average deposit amounts.
The average monthly deposit amounts for each country are as follows:
- Greece: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is $459. April average deposit was $522.
- Italy: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is $260. April average deposit was $282.
- Spain: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is $248. April average deposit was $252.
- UK: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is $207. April average deposit was $202.
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.
Category: Total monthly casino betting amount
Key finding: Spain hits highest total monthly casino betting amount across select European countries
Spain leads in average monthly total casino bet amounts, showing strong performance, Greece followed closely behind, demonstrating a volatility trend throughout the period. Both Spain and Greece ending with a high in April 2025.
Italy showed a gradual decline over the year, with a dip in February and slight recovery in April.
The UK consistently had the lowest average casino bet amounts, though it saw gradual growth and a strong increase in April 2025.
The average monthly total casino bet amounts for each country are as follows:
- Greece: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is $2,392. April average was $2,591.
- Italy: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is $1,818. April average was $1,753.
- Spain: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is $2,525. April average was $2,811.
- UK: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is $945. April average was $1,067.
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.
Category: Total monthly sports betting amount
Key finding: Greece and Spain closely lead
Greece and Spain maintained the highest average monthly total sports bet amounts throughout the period, despite some fluctuations and a slight dip in early stages.
Italy showed a moderate downward trend overall, while the UK consistently had the lowest average, although it displayed a steady upward trend.
The average monthly total sports bet amount for each country are as follows:
- Greece: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is $733. April average was $859.
- Italy: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is $425. April average was $418.
- Spain: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is $727. April average was $717.
- UK: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is $305. April average was $278.
Definition of total monthly sport bet amount: The average sport betting amount is the total sum of all sports bets and divided by the number of bettors who have placed at least one sports bet.
Category: Average number of activity days per active customer
Key finding: Greece consistently leads
Comparing the average activity days per active customer across European countries, the data shows that Greece consistently leads, maintaining the highest engagement levels throughout the period. Spain follows in second place. Italy and the UK display a close pattern, with slight fluctuations and a gradual decline in early 2025.
The average activity days per country are as follows:
- Greece: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is 12.2. April average was 12.18.
- Italy: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is 8.2. April average was 7.8.
- Spain: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is 9.3. April average was 9.3.
- UK: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is 8.4. April average was 7.6.
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.
Category: Average active retention rate
Key finding: Greece had the highest retention
Greece consistently led in average active retention rate, reaching 84% in April 2025. The other countries showed a strong volatility trend over the year ranging 70–80.
The average active retention rates for each country are as follows:
- Greece: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is 84%. April average was 84%.
- Italy: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is 79%. April average was 78%.
- Spain: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is 77%. April average was 78%.
- UK: The average for the trailing 11 months before April 2025 is 77%. April average was 74%.
Definition of active retention rate: The percentage of bettors who were active in the preceding month and remained active in the current month.
For more insight, visit iGaming Pulse.
The post Optimove Insights: Spain ahead of Greece, Italy and the UK for monthly casino wagers first appeared on EGR Intel.
In this month’s column, Optimove analyses data from four key markets, with Southern Europe emerging as the growth frontier
The post Optimove Insights: Spain ahead of Greece, Italy and the UK for monthly casino wagers first appeared on EGR Intel.