In the second half 2025 Greek market online gambling unexpectedly became the leader in terms of growth rates in Europe. Against the backdrop of slowdown or stagnation in other jurisdictions, it was Greece that showed the most noticeable surge in interest in iGaming. According to Blask analytics, demand from June to December increased by more than 50%, what makes the country stand out from the general European background.
Market scale and pace
In the second half of the year 2025 Greece has become the most dynamic online gambling market in the region. The growth of interest in iGaming has exceeded 50% in just six months. For comparison, most European countries during this period showed either moderate growth, or slowdown.
The online segment continues to gain weight: gross gaming revenue in the digital channel in the first half 2024 reached €1.349 billion, adding about 8% in annual terms. These numbers set the stage for more aggressive growth in the second half. 2025 year.
Audience and demand structure
Greece remains compact, but a digitally mature market. With a population of approx. 10 million people have access to the Internet 9 million, which creates a favorable environment for online entertainment.
Key audience: young users:
- about 63% players are aged 18–34 years;
- lotteries remain the most popular segment and cover approximately 60% users;
- sports betting attracts approx. 45%;
- online casino - order 30%;
- slots and instant-win formats - approx. 25%.
This distribution shows, that the market still relies on traditional products, but is gradually shifting towards casinos and RNG content.
Drivers of growth
The growth was not accidental and was formed in several directions at once:
- a dense sports calendar from late summer to autumn with virtually no “empty” periods;
- absence of sharp dips in activity after major tournaments;
- increase in bet limits in RNG games from €2 to €20, which directly affected the average bill;
- active conversion of sports traffic into the casino segment, delivering double-digit iGaming growth.
As a result, the market grew not due to the influx of new audiences, and due to more effective work with existing players.
Infrastructure and redistribution of activity
Regulatory pressure also played a role. In December it was blocked about 11 000 illegal domains, gambling related. At the same time, the volume of the illegal market was previously estimated at approximately €1.7 billion. (according to data for 2023 year).
It was not possible to completely eliminate the shadow segment, however, blockings have noticeably changed user traffic routes. An additional factor was the introduction of the IRIS instant payment system, which reduced friction when replenishing accounts and had a positive effect on deposit conversion.
Restrictions and pressure on operators
Despite the growth, the model remains rigid for licensed companies:
- The tax on gross gaming profits is 35%;
- the total tax burden can reach 60%;
- Operators' margins continue to be under pressure.
This limits opportunities for aggressive marketing and forces the market to grow through optimization and player retention..
Bottom line
iGaming growth in Greece in the second half of the year 2025 year wears not situational, and systemic nature. It was the result of a combination of stable sports demand, expansion of the casino segment and infrastructure changes - from payment solutions to regulatory control. Against the backdrop of a general slowdown in the European market, Greece demonstrates, How redistribution and deeper monetization of existing audiences can drive sustainable growth without dramatically expanding the user base.
