These EU countries have the most game fans

31st August 2023

All over the world, people are interested in investing their money and time in various games. This interest is evolutionary and goes back to ancient China. Here, too, people played dice games as well as card games. In ancient Rome, people also loved all kinds of gaming events, including gladiator fights, to sweeten their time. Today, a huge industry has grown up around this phenomenon, with a turnover of several billion euros a year.

Of course, there are regional and national differences, and in some places certain games are more popular than others. But in which EU countries most game enthusiasts live can only be guessed at. To shed some light on this, today we want to get to the bottom of the national differences and find out in which European states the games industry is most popular.

So today we want to reveal to you in which EU states gambling accounts for a large part of public interest and want to get to the bottom of the phenomenon. We ask ourselves the question: What makes gambling so attractive in these states?

Poland

Although the regulations and laws in Poland are quite strict, a great many people in Poland regularly gamble. In Poland, gambling is regulated by the Ministry of Finance. For example, there are regulations that state that a city with less than 250,000 inhabitants may have a maximum of one casino. Licences are issued for six years and are only based on the legal and financial position of the company. There is virtually no consumer protection for the player.

However, there is also no maximum win. As a result, one hears time and again of huge winnings being bagged in Poland. For example, Jeff Lisandro, a participant in a poker tournament, won two million złoty in 2009. Even on slot machines, players sometimes win sums that German gamblers can only dream of, because on Polish machines it is not uncommon for individual players to win sums in the six-figure range. Perhaps this chance of winning is one of the reasons why so many people live in Poland and indulge in gambling.

Italy

When you think of Italy, you think of pasta, pizza and espresso. However, at least some people would probably guess that Italy is one of the most popular countries for gambling. Surveys have shown that about 28.2 percent of Italians regularly gamble. This also makes Italy one of the three states where the most gamblers live.

Could it be because the lottery, which is played all over the world today, originated in Italy? That may well be. But slot machines and every other kind of gambling are also extremely popular in Italy. Unfortunately, this is also reflected in those who are addicted to gambling and have developed an addiction to it, because Italy has a real problem with gambling. Surveys have shown that Italy has the highest number of gambling addicts in Europe. The main reason for this is the well-developed structure of slot machines, which can be found on almost every corner.

There is also an economic aspect to this. In Italy, gambling is the third largest economic sector. As a result, the Italian state is to a certain extent dependent on the revenues of the gambling industry. In 2017, approximately 101 billion euros went through the gambling industry in Italy. So there is no denying that Italy is home to many people who are passionate about gambling.

Spain

Spain is also associated with sun, beautiful landscapes and great beaches rather than gambling. But here the idea that it could also be an important place for gambling in Europe is a little closer. In the Spanish capital Barcelona there is a luxurious casino where the European Poker Tour takes place every year. So every good poker player who plays in Europe has surely been to Spain and participated in this iconic tournament. Gambling in Spain is quite liberal. However, similar to Germany, a gambling house that wants to offer gambling commercially must have a licence, which is issued by a state authority.

In almost every large city, you can find large poker clubs and casinos that offer something for everyone. So even the locals have a good chance of finding a machine everywhere where they can indulge in gambling. So it is not surprising that Spain is one of those countries where gambling is extremely popular.

Estonia

In Estonia, gambling enjoys enormous popularity. This may be due, among other things, to the fact that sports betting is considered a cultural asset here. Traditional casinos, however, started relatively late here. It was not until 1991 that the first official gambling hall was opened in Estonia. Meanwhile, gamblers have a wide choice and can choose between more than 53 different casinos. Most of these gambling halls can be found in the Estonian capital Tallinn. Especially passionate poker players will be familiar with this city. The world’s best poker players have been meeting here regularly for years.

Czech Republic

There is also a lot of gambling in the Czech Republic. The reason for this may be obvious, at least on closer inspection. The Czech Republic seems to have a small weakness, especially for gambling machines. In no other European country is there a higher density of gambling machines, measured against the number of inhabitants. There are about seven machines per 1000 Czechs. Since 2016, the Czech Republic has had relatively strict rules regarding gambling. However, Czechs continue to gamble carefree. You can also gamble online. At StayCasino online, you can get great benefits, because here you can find the best casino no deposit bonus.

Germany

Germany also has an excellently developed infrastructure of casinos and slot machines. Here, players will find some of the most traditional establishments in the EU. The casino in Baden-Baden has been considered a must-see for true gambling fans for several years, and not for nothing. The gambling hall is one of the oldest casinos in the European region. For 150 years, gambling enthusiasts have been travelling to Baden-Baden to experience this sensation. In the meantime, however, Germany’s capital is also considered a paradise for gamblers. You can find slot machines in almost every pub and numerous cafés here. So if you want to gamble, you don’t have to look too far to find what you are looking for. Recently, even online casinos in Germany have been regulated by the state, which makes them particularly safe. With some gaming platforms, you can even get a good casino bonus code without a deposit.

The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a must for gambling tourists. Sports betting, horse racing and even everyday events can be bet on here. Thousands of betting shops are available for this purpose. Gambling and especially betting in Great Britain can look back on a very long tradition. There are more than 130 gambling halls here, including some very renowned and world-famous establishments. There are numerous clubs here for the high society. These casinos offer a unique experience and ensure that gambling is regarded as a social event.

The Netherlands

In Holland, there is an unmanageable variety of gambling offers. That is why Holland is one of the most popular places when it comes to European gambling. Here you can visit some establishments that you won’t find anywhere else in the world in this form. For example, there are Asian-style gambling halls or even a casino located in a former monastery. So you see, as a gambler you can experience extraordinary things in Holland that you will never forget. In Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, there are numerous casinos, over 100 gaming tables and more than 1000 slot machines just waiting to be played.

France

Gambling also has a long tradition in France. Roulette was played here very early on and the casino as we know it today was established. Moreover, blackjack is also said to have its roots in France. So it is no wonder that there are generations of enthusiastic gamblers in France. Incidentally, one of the world’s most famous casinos can also be visited here. The Monte Carlo Casino is one of the most impressive casinos in the world and should be visited by every gambling fan. The villa on the harbour captivates the gambler even just by looking at it from the outside and offers an experience that can probably not be experienced anywhere else in the world.

Conclusion on gambling in Europe

In Europe, there are some international strongholds that are known among gambling fans all over the world. Some casinos that can be found in the European area are even so unique that they also come out on top in an international comparison. So it is no wonder that there is also a huge number of enthusiastic gamblers in Europe. So if you are interested in gambling and are going on a trip to a European country, you should definitely find out about special establishments in order to enrich your holiday with an unforgettable experience.