Europe’s casino scene today is a mix of old charm and new energy. In some places, you still find the classic ones — big buildings with lights, music, and people dressed up for a night out. But just as strongly, online casinos are buzzing in every corner, letting people play poker, slots, and live-dealer games from home or on the go.
This mix is what makes the casino industry in Europe so interesting. Some countries have long traditions with casinos. Others are just starting to open up to online games. Every country has its own rules. And while all this is happening, new technology is making everything more exciting.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how the casino industry works in Europe.
Europe's gambling story began a long while ago. Ancient Greeks and Romans rolled dice for fun and sometimes for keeps. As time went on, games using cards and chips popped up across Europe, but most of it was informal.
The 18th and 19th centuries saw a spread of casinos across Europe. Nearly a century later, casinos went digital. In the 1990s, online gambling began. Simple websites let people play the same classic games, like poker, blackjack, and slots, from home. By the 2000s, this grew fast. Then smartphones made it even easier. Now in 2025, you can play anywhere, on your couch or on a train.
With about €47.9 billion coming from online platforms (almost 39% of the total), the total gambling income in Europe in 2024 hit around €123.4 billion.
The internet gambling industry shows great expansion with a yearly growth rate of 11%. One study estimates it at US$52 billion in 2024, then rising to $134 billion by 2033. These figures indicate that fast expansion in internet gambling across Europe is under way.
Europe’s casino world is shaped by a mix of local rules and continent-wide efforts. The result is a scene that’s both varied and evolving. Let’s take a look at how it works today.
Each country in Europe has its own way of regulating casinos, especially online. In the UK, the Gambling Commission introduced new deposit limits and real-time affordability checks, aiming to keep gamblers safe by tracking their spending against their income.
Poland adds its own twist. The casino industry in Poland is tightly controlled: land-based casinos and online operators must get state licenses, and foreign sites are blocked. The government sets high-tech and financial standards which keep the market clean but slow things down. On the plus side, it helps protect players and ensures revenue stays local.
While rules differ in every country, the EU is working to bring more consistency. In July 2027, new anti-money laundering (AML) laws will kick in. They will require shared due-diligence rules, beneficial ownership checks, and uniform reporting standards across all EU countries.
Dr. Ekaterina Hartmann, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at EGBA (European Gaming and Betting Association), emphasising the association’s active involvement in the revision of the AML rules, mentioned that: “EGBA has actively followed and contributed to the revision of the AML rules at EU-level and believes the new rules will benefit Europe’s online gambling operators, especially those operating in multiple jurisdictions, by ensuring a single regulatory approach across EU member states.”
The way people play casino games in Europe is changing. Also, smart technology is changing how casinos work and what players expect. At the same time, game styles and user habits are shifting. First, let's explore technology in the casino industry
Technology is the biggest driver of change in Europe’s gambling world today. These are the innovations driving the shifts we are seeing:
The casino industry in Europe doesn’t follow one single path. Instead, it operates through a mix of different systems, shaped by local laws, cultures, and priorities.
While that creates differences, the EU is slowly working to bring more unity, especially around safety and fairness.
According to Dr Hartmann of EGBA, “By signing up to the guidelines, operators can begin preparing themselves for the EU rule changes and join our members in their efforts to proactively and positively contribute to the fight against money laundering in the EU.”
Meanwhile, across Europe, online gambling continues to grow fast, supported by smart technology and changing player habits.
