Italian market continues upward trajectory
Casino and sportsbook verticals post double-digit GGR growth in October of 14% and 13% respectively
Italy’s regulated online gaming market continued its recent resurgence during October as its casino and sportsbook verticals both posted double-digit year-on-year growth in gross gaming revenues (GGR).
According to figures seen by eGaming Review, casino cemented its place as Italy’s premier vertical after posting a 13% rise in GGR for the month to 22.5m – its best monthly performance so far this year.
The figure also represented a 6% sequential rise after the market recorded 21.3m GGR in September with the improving numbers coming amid attempts from the regulator to cut off the supply of games to the unregulated market.
Casino’s growth was mirrored by sportsbook after the gradually liberalising vertical posted a 14% year-on-year increase in GGR to 16.3m.
And although the vagaries of sports betting resulted in a sequential GGR decrease, following on from the 21.2m recorded in September, the underlying market remained strong as turnover increased 44% month-on-month to 193m.
The regulated Italian sports betting market has been boosted in recent months by relaxation of previously restrictive settlement requirements and the arrival of major foreign operators such as bet365, which is understood to have gained a market leading sportsbook position in October.
Last month, eGR held its inaugural Italy Awards in Rome which, despite a strong foreign challenge, saw the indigenous Lottomatica scoop the headline Operator of the Year prize.