Casino games now lead online revenue
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), whose members account for roughly 30% of Europe's online gambling revenue, reported a combined €18 billion of online gross gaming revenue for its members in 2025, up 34% on the previous year. According to iGaming Business, casino games made up 48% of that revenue, just ahead of sports betting at 46%.
| Product | Share of EGBA members' 2025 online GGR |
|---|---|
| Casino games | 48% |
| Sports betting | 46% |
| Poker | 3% |
| Other | 3% |
The same members reported 43.8 million active customer accounts in 2025. Revenue share is not the same as popularity by number of players, but it shows clearly that casino games have caught up with football betting as the core of online gambling in Europe.
The games European players choose
Online slots
Slots are the engine of the online casino. They are quick to play on a phone, come in thousands of themes and cover every budget, from a few cents per spin upwards. Many popular European studios release several new titles a month, and features such as free-spin rounds, multipliers and "Megaways" style reels keep the category moving. Remember that the same slot can run at different RTP settings; the help screen shows the version your casino uses.
European roulette
Roulette is the classic European table game, and the single-zero European wheel is the version to look for. With 37 pockets, an even-money bet has a house edge of 1/37, about 2.7%. The American double-zero wheel has 38 pockets and an edge of about 5.26% on the same bet. French roulette often adds the "la partage" rule, which returns half of an even-money stake when the ball lands on zero and halves the edge on those bets again.
Blackjack
Blackjack remains the favourite of players who want decisions to matter. With basic strategy and good rules, it is one of the lowest-edge games in the casino. Rules vary between tables: how many decks, whether the dealer stands on soft 17 and whether blackjack pays 3:2 or 6:5. That last rule alone can add more than a percentage point to the house edge, so check it before you sit down.
Live casino and game shows
Live dealer roulette, blackjack and baccarat streamed from studios are a big part of European online play, alongside game-show formats with wheels, bonus rounds and presenters. They bring back the social feel of a casino floor, but the edge comes from the rules and payouts, just as it does in an RNG game.
Crash and instant games
Crash games such as Aviator and its many alternatives, along with mines, plinko and dice-style instant games, have grown from a crypto niche into mainstream lobbies. They are fast, simple and easy to play on mobile. If you are new to the format, our explainer on how Aviatrix works covers the mechanics and the maths.
One continent, many rule books
There is no single European online casino market. Each country decides for itself:
- France allows online sports betting, horse-race betting and poker, but the regulator ANJ states that online casino games are not authorised.
- Germany licenses online slots and some other products through its federal authority, which publishes a whitelist of permitted operators with strict stake and deposit limits.
- The United Kingdom licenses online casinos under detailed rules, including technical standards for games.
- Many other countries run their own licences, state monopolies or a mix of both.
This is why a game that is everywhere in one country can be missing or restricted in the next, and why you should check that online casinos are legal where you live before you sign up. Our short history of gambling explains how this patchwork of licences came about.
Choosing games with lower house edges
If you play for entertainment and want your budget to last, the game choice matters more than any bonus:
- Prefer single-zero roulette, and French rules where available.
- Play blackjack only at tables that pay 3:2, and learn basic strategy.
- Check the RTP of each slot in its help screen rather than assuming.
- Use bonuses whose wagering you can realistically complete; how casino bonus systems work shows the maths.
Our guide to RTP and house edge goes deeper into how these percentages work.
FAQ
What is the most popular online casino game in Europe?
By revenue, online slots are the largest casino category, and casino games overall made up 48% of EGBA members' online revenue in 2025. Roulette, blackjack and live casino follow, with crash games growing quickly.
Why is European roulette better than American roulette?
European roulette has one zero, giving a house edge of about 2.7% on even-money bets. American roulette adds a second zero, which raises the edge to about 5.26%.
Are online casinos legal everywhere in Europe?
No. Some countries license them, some allow only certain products, and others, such as France, do not authorise online casino games. Always check the law where you live.
Is live casino safer than RNG games?
Both can be fair if they come from licensed studios. Live games let you watch the cards or the wheel, but the house edge is set by the rules in both cases.
