In the first quarter of 2018 according to data from Arjel, online sports betting collected €847 million, the highest amount recorded in a quarter since the market opened. 

This segment of the game is the fastest growing market, bets increased 34 percent this quarter.

The growth of bets in this period is the result of the increase in the number of sports bettors. In fact, on average, over 462,500 player accounts were active each week compared to 341,000 in the first quarter of 2017. In total, around 1.3 million player accounts were active at least once during the quarter against 0.9 million players. last year (+ 40 percent).

The portion redistributed to players by sports betting operators is slightly above the 85 percent threshold imposed by the legislation on the calendar year. However, it is down 2.1 percentage points.

IPPICA – In the first quarter of 2018, the stakes on horse racing amounted to 270 million euros against the 246 million first quarter of 2017, an increase of 9 percent with comparable periods. Thus, activity grew in this quarter at a slightly higher rate than that recorded for the whole of 2017 (+8 percent).

The increase in holdings in the business is also the result of the increase in the number of horse bettors. In fact, on average, nearly 148,000 player accounts have engaged in activity each week against 142,000 last year over the same period. In the end, the sector’s quarterly revenue grew 8 percent to 65 million euros.