• Biggest Gambling Companies In Europe History
• Largest Online Gambling Companies In Europe
• Biggest Gambling Companies In Europe 2020

Biggest Gambling Companies In Europe History

Since 2011 when the Spanish Gambling Act was passed, Spain has taken a nationwide legalize-and-regulate approach to online betting, akin to its major European neighbors covered above. To legally provide online betting services to Spanish residents, gambling sites must acquire a license from the relevant regulatory body (the Direccion General de. Combined, the top 3 companies accounted for 42% of the total social casino game market, while the top 15 accounted for roughly 83%. The largest market for online gambling is Europe, but this.

In Europe, gambling regulations and the legality of various games can be somewhat confusing. The European Union’s laws give companies the right to provide services to other EU countries, which once prevented Italy from banning online gambling entirely. However, while the treaty prevents a complete ban, each state has autonomy concerning their laws, industry regulations, and which activities are legal.

To save you the hassle of finding legal sites in your region, we’ve listed the best European online gambling sites. Not only will our recommendations keep you safe from scams and poorly-run operations, but we’ll also break down which forms of gambling are legalized in the different jurisdictions and how they are run.

The Best European Online Gambling Sites

The gambling sites included in this list of recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for legitimacy, reliability, variety, and several other factors that we will cover shortly. Our team of experts is continuously finding additional websites to review, which they then decide whether or not to pass along to our readership. It’s a lot of time-consuming work, but it’s worth it to know we’re helping set fellow gamblers up with the best European online gambling sites in the industry.

This page will serve two primary purposes for the reader. First, we will explain what criteria are required to be a premier gambling site and demonstrate the reason we prioritize specific factors. Then, we’ll further examine the legal status of online gaming throughout various countries in Europe and share which forms of gambling are allowed and where.

When you’re done on this page, you’ll not only know which gambling services you’re legally entitled to in your region, but you’ll also be armed with a list of the very best online gambling sites for Europeans.

What Makes a Gambling Site One of the “Best”?

When our experts decide to review a website, they comb through the site’s history, research industry blacklists, study terms and conditions, and generally do a deep dive into the works of the operation. We take everything into account so that we may keep our promise of only delivering the best European online gambling sites. The following are some of the essential characteristics we require for our readers.

Legitimacy and Safety

Hundreds of billions of dollars are wagered online annually, with that number steadily growing each year. Such massive sums of money are an obvious target for thieves and unethical entrepreneurs hoping to profit off of the public’s ignorance concerning gambling website legitimacy. There’s nothing we take more seriously than keeping our readers out of harm’s way from scammers, which is why safety is our highest priority when ranking a site.

By combing through a company’s history, we can learn about any alarming issues or patterns of behavior that raise red flags. For example, having a poor reputation with regards to payout timelines would be a significant problem. Furthermore, websites that have landed on blacklists in the past are filtered out from our recommendations.

Some places set unreasonably low withdrawal limits or are known to find reasons to delay payouts in the hopes that their customers will get bored and spend the cash on the site while waiting on their withdrawal. That’s the type of business practice we are here to help you avoid, as it’s certainly not a trait of one of the best European online gambling sites.

Variety

If you were ranking the many benefits online gambling has over traditional brick-and-mortar casinos, the ability to provide exponentially more diversity would be at the top of the list. With land-based locations, there’s only so much floor space, not to mention the costs of employing operators and paying utility costs. Online operations can offer you thousands of individual slot themes, dozens of variations of traditional table games, every set of video poker rules, and a full sportsbook all in one place!

This is an excellent quality because it prevents boredom from setting in, thus keeping the players entertained and engaged. If you get tired of playing computer-dealt blackjack, you have the option to switch to a live dealer, for instance. Slot players aren’t given much to do in the way of strategy or input, so for them, having a vast selection of different themes with all types of jackpots and side games is crucial.

Since you’re going to be depositing your precious money into an account with whichever top European online gambling site you choose, the last thing we want to happen is for you to lose interest. Our experts have found that the gambling websites with the most extensive collection of games and wagering types tend to provide the greatest customer satisfaction. And that’s why variety plays a vital role in our rankings.

Quality Website and Games

The central purpose of LegitGamblingSites.com is to match our readers with online gambling sites that will best meet their needs while providing reliable, trustworthy service. It’s important to us that the websites we recommend are professional, easy to use, and consistently operational.

When sports betting, there are times when a bettor must submit their pick quickly before the contest starts and the odds are pulled from the board. We don’t want our customers missing opportunities due to a poorly-designed site. Everything should be clearly labeled, logically organized, and easy to find.

We also take graphic quality into consideration. For some of the slot games, high-quality animations and artwork are what make the games enjoyable for players. There are tons of slots based on popular television shows and favorite movies which include lots of interactivity and video clips. When we give a recommendation to our readers, we expect that these aesthetically enjoyable options will run smoothly.

Banking Methods

It’s always a good thing to have multiple options, especially as it pertains to banking methods available when online gambling. First of all, different patrons will require different accommodations, so by casting a wider net, more customers are satisfied. But beyond the convenience that comes with variety, having several different ways of funding or withdrawing from your account is critical in places such as Europe, where the laws are somewhat inconsistent from region to region.

If you take the United States, for example, they’re allowed to gamble online as individuals, but the financial institutions are legally barred from processing transactions between customers and known gambling operations. That means US players’ debit and credit cards are not an option, so Bitcoin, e-wallets, and various gift cards must be used instead.

Depending on the European country, some readers may not want to connect their banking info directly to their online casino. Meanwhile, within the United Kingdom, gambling is fully legalized and regulated, so customers from that area may prefer transfers directly to and from their checking account. It just depends on what restrictions you’re working around or if there are any at all.

Reliable Customer Service

Few things are more frustrating than having an issue that needs resolving and not being able to get anyone to help. Poor customer service completely taints your opinion of a service or product, and rightly so. Therefore, if we’re working to present only the best European online gambling sites to our readers, we must take customer service extremely seriously.

When reviewing a website’s customer service page, we first look for a clearly labeled, easy-to-find section. The customer service area should provide answers to frequently asked questions and provide information about the corporation and gambling site. Furthermore, there should be multiple methods of communication available, including email, telephone, and live chat.

Most crucially, the department in charge of these customer issues should be both responsive and helpful. Our experts test the levels of service by using the various forms of communication and timing how long it takes to get a response. We never want you to be stuck with a problem and nobody to turn to, which is why we put so much effort into ensuring this aspect of their business meets expectations.

Bonus Programs

You’ve probably noticed on our list of recommendations that the best European online gambling sites offer bonuses and rewards programs to entice new members. In most cases, gambling websites will offer free plays just for signing up, and once you make a deposit, they’ll match a percentage of the total. This can amount to quite a bit of free money, which is why bonuses have to be an ingredient in our overall rankings. However, be sure to read the conditions of accepting free money. There are times when the strings that are attached make the gift not worth taking.

Loyalty rewards programs are another story entirely and are almost always of some value. The types of perks for which you’re eligible will depend on the amount of money you regularly bet with, as well as the frequency. Some common rewards are cash back for a portion of your losses, free play credits, or merchandise from a company store.

The rewards that you’re given are directly proportionate to the value you present to the casino or sportsbook. For the high rollers, we’ve seen prizes as extravagant as exotic vacations and vehicles given out.

Advantages of Gambling Online

In many of the countries in Europe, land-based casinos and sportsbooks are readily available and accessible. This is particularly true in the United Kingdom. While having brick-and-mortar locations is indeed a nice perk to living in a jurisdiction with legalized gaming, it’s often an inferior choice compared to gambling online. In this section, we’ll share a few of the advantages of online gambling.

Better Odds

The thing about operating a land-based gambling operation is that there’s overhead. They have to pay for employees, electricity, rent or land costs, and a wide range of other expenses required to keep the doors open. These expenditures are passed on to the gamblers in the form of a house advantage that’s built into the odds.

The best European gambling sites don’t have such pricey overhead and thus can afford to give bettors much more favorable odds when playing their games. And when it comes to sports betting, there’s nothing more important than the betting lines. The slightest improvement in winning percentage can make a massive difference in long-term profits, which is why we always advise shopping for the best odds.

Convenience

The most significant advantage that online gambling sites have over their brick-and-mortar counterparts is convenience. Even in regions with legalized gambling locations, nothing is quicker and easier as it pertains to gambling than pulling out a smartphone and making your picks or playing some games. No matter how casual the local gaming spot may be, it will always require you to get dressed, travel to the place, and take time gambling in person.

With online options, especially those with mobile compatibility, everything on which you could possibly want to bet is right at your fingertips. This is hugely useful when betting on sports, as there are times where wagers must be submitted before the contest begins. You’re much less likely to travel to the sportsbook and get your picks set in time, but with the online bookmakers, as long as you have more than a few minutes, you’ll be fine.

Better Rewards Programs

If you’re accustomed to gambling at more traditional physical casinos, you’ve probably noticed they’ve never handed you any free cash just for walking in the door. That’s a practice that’s exclusive to online gambling sites and has become a bit of an industry standard practice. There are two kinds of common start-up bonuses:

• Sign-up bonus – The gift received just for opening an account usually consists of free play tokens or credits which allow you to test out the games and casino in general before depositing any actual money
• Deposit bonus – As the name suggests, this bonus is applied once you deposit money into your gambling account. These are almost always given out as a percentage of the initial funding of the account. Often, gambling sites will offer a 100% match, allowing you to double your money before placing a single bet

The land-based alternatives do offer loyalty rewards programs, but even they fall short of the online version. In a physical location, you have to keep a player’s card and remember to receive your points for any gambling done on the premises. Online, all activities are tracked automatically and attributed to your account. So, every bit of wagering you do will count towards prizes and rewards in the future.

More Options

Another department in which brick-and-mortar gambling businesses will never match the online gambling world is variety. You simply have way more options playing over the internet. Without concerns regarding floor space, the best European online gambling sites can employ thousands of slot machine themes, all sorts of table game varieties, and more sportsbook wagers than any land-based alternative.

A Brief Overview of the Gambling Laws in Europe

The United Kingdom

Gambling is entirely legal in the UK. Most of the top-rated online casinos and sportsbooks operate within their jurisdiction, which is heavily regulated and trusted. Gambling activities fall under the authority of the Gambling Commission, which approves gaming licenses and enacts consumer protections.

Spain

Spain has had legal gambling since 2011 when the Spanish Gambling Act was passed. Each of their seventeen regions has full autonomy over which gaming activities will be allowed and regulated by the government and which will not. Overall, Spanish gambling is overseen by the National Gambling Commission. Any online gambling sites hosted in the region must have a “.es” URL.

Italy

Italy initially tried to shut out gaming entirely within its borders, but this was challenged by the EU since they would be denying business to gambling sites operating out of other member nations. Italian residents are now free to access websites from outside of the country, while more gambling activities are now legal within the nation. Gambling is regulated by the AAMS, which provides licensing and consumer protection for the industry.

France

All forms of gambling have been legal in France since 2010. They created the Regulatory Authority for Online Games, which oversees the online gambling industry. Gambling is strictly regulated in France, similar to the UK, which makes licensing more difficult for operators but ensures a much safer industry for citizens to engage with.

Gambling Jurisdictions

Beyond the primary regulatory bodies within the major European Union countries, there are several highly-respected offshore jurisdictions which host numerous online gambling sites.

• Alderney – Alderney is widely respected for how seriously they take oversight and consumer protections. A popular gambling jurisdiction since 2000, the island in the British Channel is a popular region in which to host gaming websites
• Gibraltar – Gibraltar is one of the oldest online gambling jurisdictions, having begun regulating the industry back in 1998. They are approved by the UK’s Gambling Commission and are well respected around the globe as a legitimate jurisdiction
• The Isle of Man – The Isle of Man is also approved by the UK Gambling Commission, which has deemed it safe. Many UK websites are housed here, due to the effort this region puts into attracting online gambling corporations
• Malta – Malta is another British commonwealth that’s popular within online gambling circles. In fact, it’s one of the oldest and most-trusted areas for gaming in the world. They offer four different licenses for gambling businesses

In Conclusion

If you’re looking for the best European online gambling sites, it’s your lucky day because we’ve got you covered. When discussing gambling in the context of Europe, things can get a bit confusing. While each country is left to legislate and regulate the industry as they see fit within their borders, their hands are tied when it comes to an outright ban. This is due to a treaty signed by all participating members of the EU, in which they agreed not to prevent corporations from doing business across their borders.

The argument is that this applies to online gambling as well. Since there are licensed and regulated gambling sites operating from within several European jurisdictions, it would be breaking the treaty to prevent the citizens of a state from accessing and using such services. However, that doesn’t mean that all forms of online gaming are allowed everywhere.

For example, in Spain, live betting and bingo games are illegal, while other forms of online sports betting and casino games are just fine. In fact, each of Spain’s seventeen regions has the authority to treat gambling as they see fit, so even within country borders, the legalities may be inconsistent.

Germany won’t allow new operators into the market but have some older websites which have been grandfathered in. Additionally, German citizens may access foreign gambling sites from other EU jurisdictions.

All in all, gambling over the internet is a well-entrenched, thriving industry in Europe. Thanks to several members of the EU legalizing online gambling, the other countries have essentially been forced to allow their citizens to participate as well. At that point, it makes more sense to regulate gambling and collect some tax money than to watch all of those profits leave the region.

Wherever you’re located, our fundamental concerns are ensuring your safety and providing the best European online gambling sites the world has to offer. Our team of experts worked diligently to compile the list at the top of this page and will continue to vet and review websites for as long as people are enjoying gambling. Judging by the annual gambling numbers, we’ll be serving our readers for quite some time.

With the digital revolution in full swing and the ease of government regulations on gambling, the sports betting industry is undergoing dynamic transformations over the last few years and consequently surging in popularity around the word, the revenues of many world’s leading sports betting companies are also growing significantly year on year. Today, sports betting has become one of the fastest growing industries across the world, offering immense potential for both bettors and sportsbooks. Some of the popular games for sports betting include horse racing, greyhounding, cricket, football, baseball, basketball and golf.

For the latest online gambling market size, sports betting market forecast, and top sports betting companies in the world, please see our report Global Sports Betting Market 2018-2022, or download your FREE Global Sports Betting Market Report Sample now!

Global Sports Betting Market Analysis

Over the last few years, the world has opened immense opportunities for gamblers to take part in sports betting anywhere in the world through digital platforms, except in those nations where betting is banned. The global sports betting sector occupies the major market share in the overall online gambling industry accounting for more than 40 % of the worldwide gambling revenue generation. According to the Technavio’s market analysts, the sports betting market will grow at an impressive CAGR, with the global sports betting market revenue expected to reach nearly $370 billion by 2022.

Read more:How Is the Online Gambling Industry Making Room for the Next Unicorn Company?

Top 10 Sports Betting Companies in the Global Gambling Industry

888 Holdings

888 holdings is one of the most popular online gaming operators, which operates 888 sports, casino, poker, and bingo brands. Since its launch in 2008, 888 Sports has been successful in establishing a strong presence in the online sports betting market. The online betting site breaks away from the traditional bookies with exclusive customer deals, a range of new markets and an international appeal. Although the company exited US market long back owing to the strict government regulations, they have been keeping a close eye on regulatory developments in the US.

Today, 888 has already positioned itself in the market by partnering with the US-based companies. The potential for the sports betting sector in the US is significant and, as the only firm in all three regulated US states, 888 is all set to exploit the potential growth opportunities in the US market.

Read more:The Game is on! Here are the Top 15 Online Gaming Companies

GVC Holdings

GVC Holdings is one of the largest sports betting companies and gaming groups. With its unique proprietary technology platform, GVC offers casino, poker, bingo, and sports betting under some of the industry’s most popular online betting brands including partypoker, CasinoClub, Betboo, Bwin, Foxy Bingo, and Sportingbet. In a spell of acquisitions, GVC Holdings made a milestone €1.1 billion acquisition of online gaming brand bwin party in 2016 and acquired UK rival Ladbrokes Coral in March 2018.

Further, GVC Holdings also confirmed a $200 million joint venture deal with MGM Resorts recently that will see the former transfer its online sports betting know-how to the latter. This deal will soon lead to the launch of a wide range of sports betting sites in the US.

Kindred Group

The Stockholm-listed online gambling company, Kindred, continued their record-breaking financial performance in 2018, thanks to the all-time growth of their active customer-base and the 2018 FIFA world cup, that led to higher active users. Today, the company is regarded as one of the world’s leading online gambling brands within the sports betting arena. Kindred Group recently signed a 5+5-year agreement with Casino Atlantic City and Hard Rock Hotel in New Jersey. This move is Kindred’s first step into US gaming, with a view to offering online sports betting services to US customers.

Kindred’s major revenue comes from casino games and online sports betting. With these two segments which generated respective revenue of £104 million and £104.9 million during Q2, Kindred continues to witness significant online organic growth.

Read more : Why Sports Betting Accounts for the Largest Share of the Gambling Market

Paddy Power Betfair

Paddy Power Betfair was born following the merger of Paddy Power plc and Betfair Group in February 2016. Today, the business has four divisions: Online Australia, Irish Retail, UK Retail, and Telephone segments. The company’s Online Australia segment provides sports betting services and is the market leader in the Australian gambling industry. Its UK and Irish Retail segment operate 623 betting shops across Ireland and UK. It has a presence in Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland and across the world.

Paddy Power Betfair provides gaming and sports betting services through websites including betfair.com, paddypower.com, tvg.com, sportsbet.com.au, and us.betfair.com under the Betfair, Sportsbet, Paddy Power, and TVG brand names, and through a chain of licensed betting offices.

William Hill

Since 2012, when the UK-listed bookmaker merged three businesses to establish William Hill US, the company has grown consistently to achieve the market share of around 30 %, making it one of the largest sports betting companies in the UK and the US. William Hill is one of the early movers to reap the benefits from the legalization of sports betting in the US after the Supreme Court’s decision in May to strike out a federal ban passed in 1992. William Hill US is already the leading sports betting company in the US, operating more than 108 race and sports books in Nevada along with the state’s top mobile sports betting app.

Largest Online Gambling Companies In Europe

The sports wagering giant signed sports betting agreements with a number of casinos in the US last month and is in talks with more operators. The company is ramping up hiring in Nevada for growing its US business. The company announced that it will offer mobile betting technology and sports betting risk management services to 11 casinos in Mississippi and West Virginia.

Download related report sample for free:Global Mobile Gambling Market 2017-2021

Bet365

Having added a vast range of betting options and products to their core over the past several years, Bet365 has grown to be one of the largest firms in the sports betting industry. Bet365 was one of the first sports betting company to start offering eSports to bet on. This British online gambling and sports betting company serves more than 23 million customers across the world by offering poker, casino, games, bingo, and sports betting, along with video streams on sporting events. The company recently inked a partnership with another sports betting company – Hard Rock Atlantic City casino to offer sports betting service

Stars Group

The ultimate owner of the most popular gaming brands such as PokerStars, BetStars, PokerStars Casino, and Full Tilt, Star Groups (formerly known as Amaya Gaming) recently announced that it has successfully acquired the Sky Betting and Gaming (SBG). This deal will turn the online poker giant into the largest sports-betting company in the world. Stars Group is one of the most licensed online gaming operators with its subsidiaries holding approvals and licenses in 19 jurisdictions across the world, including the Americas, Australia, and Europe. Star Group brands have millions of customers globally and are leaders in mobile and online betting, casino, poker, and other gaming-related offerings.

Download related report sample for free: Global Online Gambling Market 2018-2022

Draft Kings

DraftKings is one of the most popular daily fantasy sports content providers that allows users to enter fantasy sports-related contests based on team and individual player performance in five largest American sports (the NBA, MLB, the PGA, the NFL, and the NHL), NASCAR auto racing, Premier League and UEFA Champions League soccer, the Arena Football League, Canadian Football League, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Tennis. After the US Supreme Court cleared the way to legalize sports betting, DraftKings got to work immediately, as sports gambling will account for a major share of their business.

Biggest Gambling Companies In Europe 2020

Betsson

Betsson is an award-winning sports betting website that has been around since 2006 and literally grew into a gambling empire. The company provides users from all over the world an option to play poker, casino, bingo games and place their bets on various sports events. Betsson is based in Malta and holds a betting license from the gambling commission in the same country as well as one from the United Kingdom as well. Today, its sports betting option is offered on various markets and more and more consumers choose it as a significant option for sports betting.

BetAmerica

BetAmerica made its name in online gambling industry through horse racing, which then branched out into fantasy sports with the launch of FanEx Sports. Today, BetAmerica.com is considered as one of the most legal and secure sports betting companies based in the US. With a wide range of fantasy leagues for MLB, NFL and NBA and more than 200 racing tracks to choose from, BetAmerica is all set to grab the major share in the sports betting industry.

To find out other major sports betting companies in North America, Europe and Asia, download your FREE Global Sports Betting Market Report Samplenow!

Global Sports Betting Market Trends

Online betting was brought into the sports industry in the late 1990s and has been growing significantly since then. With the emergence and high penetration of the digital platform, punters have the flexibility in placing bets on sports from any part of the world. Indeed, the digital revolution has given sportsbooks a platform to connect with new customers. Online gambling is one of the fastest growing sectors in the e-commerce industry and is a rapidly growing mode of gambling. The use of digital processes and the growing punter demand will propel the growth of the online gambling industry, while the major sports betting companies in the world are also expected to achieve higher revenues in the near future.

For more market intelligence in the global sports betting market, please check this following report: