Gambling runs deep in European veins—some say it goes back to Viking wagers over honor and silver. Today, the tradition continues in the form of sports betting, lotteries, and online casinos. But which countries actually gamble the most?
At CasinoLogin, we were curious: which European countries are the real high rollers—not in total volume, but per person? And what makes some smaller nations punch way above their weight?
Let’s take a closer look.
Why Per Capita Gambling Tells the Real Story
It’s easy to assume the UK or Germany are Europe’s top gambling nations. But measuring gambling spend in total euros can be misleading. A more meaningful approach is to look at how much the average adult (18+) gambles per year.
This method reveals cultural patterns and national habits that would otherwise be hidden by population size.
We’ve based our findings on the trusted 2023 H2 Gambling Capital (H2GC) report—used by gaming regulators and policy makers across Europe. Here’s what the data shows.
Top 15 Gambling Countries in Europe (Per Capita, 2023)
- Ireland
- Iceland
- Malta
- Italy
- Cyprus
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Finland
- Greece
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Austria
- Estonia
- Portugal
- Latvia
Iceland in 2nd Place? Here’s Why.
Seeing Ireland at the top isn’t surprising. Horse racing, football betting, and card games have long been part of Irish culture. There’s a bet for every sporting event, and online betting sites are well integrated into everyday life.
But Iceland at #2? That’s an eye-opener.
With a population of under 400,000, Iceland is a digital society with high disposable income, long winters, and fewer entertainment alternatives. According to Spilaviti.com, these factors combine to drive higher online gambling participation—especially in casino games, which are available even when everything else is closed.
And here’s the kicker: the top three countries—Ireland, Iceland, and Malta—are all islands. Could geographic isolation really fuel digital entertainment habits like gambling?
Malta: Small Island, Big Bets
Malta is a heavyweight in the iGaming world. Home to dozens of international gambling operators, the country has built an entire economy around licensing, compliance, and hosting services for global casinos and sportsbook betting sites.
But it’s not just business. Locals also gamble, and with gambling so normalized in the daily media and economy, it’s no surprise they rank among the top three spenders.
Southern & Northern Europe Join the Game
Italy and Cyprus rank highly too, thanks to mature gambling markets and strong regulatory frameworks. Italians have embraced slots, scratch cards, and online platforms with enthusiasm, while Cyprus blends Greek-style betting culture with modern infrastructure.
In Scandinavia, countries like Finland, Sweden, and Denmark continue to show high levels of gambling per capita. Finland is particularly unique, with slot machines available in nearly every convenience store and revenues going to state social programs.
Meanwhile, Greece and Portugal show that even countries hit hard by economic crises continue to embrace gambling, possibly as a form of escapism or tradition.
What Does This Ranking Really Show?
Gambling habits are shaped by culture, economy, access, and entertainment alternatives.
Some countries gamble because they’ve always done so. Others, like Iceland, might turn to gambling when there’s little else to do—especially during long winters.
But make no mistake: this ranking isn’t just a list of stats. It’s a snapshot of how deeply gambling is woven into daily life across very different societies.
