Largest Online Gambling Companies In Europe

Casinos Austria www.casinos.at The companies first casino opened in Baden in 1934. Press release quote April 2010. 'CAI currently operates 38 landbased casinos in 16 countries, 11 shipboard casinos, 15 slot parlors, a range of lottery products in Argentina, and the all new online gaming platform CAIGAMES.COM'. In 2015, betting giant Ladbrokes merged with Coral to form the largest betting company in the United Kingdom. This new partnership saw them become bigger than the reigning big gun, William Hill. In general, we can say that biggest gambling companies in the world are mostly based in the United Kingdom. Fast becoming one of the biggest betting companies in Britain and Europe the Kindred group includes Stan James, 32Red, Bingo.com and Maria. Unibet is of course the jewel in the crown, the Scandinavian brand has grown to become one of the biggest online betting sites with over 15 million customers. Gambling case law. Online gambling regulation in EU countries is characterised by diverse regulatory frameworks. In a number of judgements, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled on the compliance of national regulatory frameworks with EU law. Gambling case law. European Commission work in the field of online gambling services. Spotify is one of three European tech companies to be valued at more than $10 billion by a report published in September called Europe’s Titans of Tech by investment firm GP Bullhound. Swedish entrepreneur Daniel Ek is co-founder and CEO of Spotify, Europe’s most highly valued tech firm.

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Largest Online Gambling Companies In Europe 2020

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How We Choose the Best European Bookmakers

• Fully licensed and certified by independent regulators.
• Approved for secure financial transactions and data protection.
• Reputation for dealing with complaints quickly and fairly.

Bonuses and Promotions at European Sports Betting Sites

The European betting market is very competitive and so bookmakers will offer you great chances to earn an edge with free bets and promotions. There are many different types of free bets available, including:

• No deposit – The clue is in the name with these bonuses. You don’t have to stake any of your own money to place a bet, you sign up, claim the offer and get a free bet to have fun with.
• Matched deposits – After you make your first deposit with a European bookmaker, they match the amount to give you more money to play with.
• Risk-free bets – Many European betting sites also offer fantastic risk-free bets. All you have to do is sign up, claim the offer and make your bet. If you lose, your stake is refunded.

Our recommended European bookmakers all offer various free bets, bonuses and promotions for new and existing players. All you need to do is visit your preferred site, sign up and start taking advantage of their offers. We also suggest you check out our regularly updated list of new betting sites for even more welcome bonuses.

European Betting Legislation

As mentioned above, although Europe as a whole is fairly laid back when it comes to online gambling, policies regarding regulation and legality of online gambling vary by country. Below we take a brief look at the legislative landscape in Europe’s major nations;

• • United Kingdom – Many of the best betting sites in Europe were founded and run in the UK. Many now base their business in tax havens such as Malta and Gibraltar. Online gambling in the UK is both legal and tax free – there are no restrictions for punters. Furthermore, a few years back the government changed their laws to allow betting firms to advertise on TV and in the press. This led to a big upturn for the betting industry.Although the UK Gambling Commission has tightened regulations in more recent times, on the whole, this is great news for bettors. Licences can be removed if a betting site provides poor service or fails to pay winnings. At SBO.net, we only recommend safe and licensed European betting sites.
  • France – France has a long history of gambling. Like many of its European neighbours, gambling in France goes back to ancient times. The roulette wheel is a French invention and so was the addition of queens into a deck of playing cards.Online sports betting was a state-run monopoly in France for a long time, but pressure from the EU forced a revision to the laws. In 2010 the country eventually opened their doors to foreign-based operators.Betting exchanges remain illegal in the country despite opposition from major companies. Recreational bettors are not required to pay tax on online winnings, however those who are classified as a professional gambler are subject to deductions.
  • Italy – The liberalisation of online gambling in Italy has been a gradual process, which was ignited in 2003 when a complaint was made against the Italian government on the grounds of infringement.A state-run monopoly was restricting foreign operators from offering their services to Italian clients. In 2009, the law was changed and allowed foreign firms accept Italian players once they received a licence.Like the UK, Italy has a passion for online gambling and it also has strict licencing. In order to receive an Italian betting licence, companies must be able to display a positive 2-year track record.
  • Germany – The laws regarding online betting in Germany are confusing, as there is a mix of national laws and more limited state laws. The ‘Interstate Treaty on Gambling’ was implemented by 15 of the 16 German states.The law gave permission for ISP’s to block access to online casinos and other gambling portals and made it illegal for German banks to accept transactions from betting sites. However, this practice was deemed to have violated European law and in 2012 the German betting market was partly liberalised, with private enterprises able to apply for sports betting and lottery licences.The number of licences were initially limited to twenty with a 5% tax imposed on stakes. So far, the German government have been very reluctant to issue licences and have provided stringent requirements for firms to be accepted. We look at it in even more detail here. Despite this, German customers are accepted by the vast majority of online bookmakers who are not licenced in the country, and there are a number of firms who specifically target German citizens.
  • Spain – A new law that regulates and licences bookmakers in Spain came into effect in 2012. Since then, over 70 operators have been licenced, and online sports betting and gambling is completely legal in the country. Betting gains in excess of €2,500 are taxable at 20%.Unlike many other countries across Europe, Spain doesn’t have a big tradition of gambling. Compared to countries like the UK and Italy, the amount of people who take part in online sports betting is low.However, Spain is a very passionate sporting nation and has produced international stars in many high-profile sports. Football is especially fruitful for Spain as they boast arguably the world’s top 2 teams, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
  • Sweden – Sports betting is extremely popular in Sweden and it is in principle completely legal. However, as with many other countries, in Sweden, operators must hold a special licence. Initially, the Swedish government only gave out a licence to a state-backed company.The government appeared to be fighting a losing battle though as turnover at the state-backed operator has gone down in recent years, whilst internationally licenced firms have seen a revenue increase from citizens of the Scandinavian country.Football is very popular in Sweden and this is boosted by the profile of world superstar and former Swedish International, Zlatan Ibrahimović. Other popular sports include handball, golf and ice hockey and each is wagered on heavily in Swedish betting markets.
  • Greece – Online sports betting and gambling is also freshly legalised in Greece. Greek citizens will pay a flat 10% tax on all online gambling winnings. This means that the Greek Government are set to make huge amounts in tax each year as sports betting and gambling in general is a national pastime.The history of sport in Greece and its role in helping to form the biggest sporting event in the world, the Olympics, should not be underestimated. Now that the online sports betting market is open, many Greeks take advantage and bet on their favourite sports.
  • Denmark – Denmark has recently opened its state-run monopoly on internet gambling and has started to allow outside operators who are licenced. However, it is stringent in its approach with bookmakers who are not licenced and has blacklisted many since the changes came into force in 2012.Denmark does not have a reputation for being a sporty nation, neither do Danes have a major history of gambling. However, more Danes than ever are betting on their favourite sports thanks to betting sites in Europe accepting Danish players.

Largest Online Gambling Companies In Europe List

EU legislation is constantly changing, and many countries are in the process of having their online gambling laws changed. European betting sites are also moving quickly, with new operators making themselves available across the continent. Our team has compiled key information about most European countries and their gambling laws. Find your nation and read more here.

Depositing and Withdrawing on European Betting Sites

In such a competitive online market place, and with technology ever improving, the majority of bookmakers offer a plethora of deposit options for their customers. E-wallet services such as Neteller and Skrill are becoming the most popular way for customers to fund their accounts. These e-wallets offer anonymity, security and separation from a day to day bank account.

They also enable bettors to transfer their funds between different bookmakers cheaply and efficiently. Debit/credit cards are also still accepted, but withdrawal times (typically 3-5 days) are off-putting some individuals who want to access their funds faster. Other methods customers can use to deposit money include bank transfers, pre-paid cards, Paypal and vouchers.

Due to licencing across the continent, European bookmakers have to ensure they pay winnings efficiently. Depending on which banking method you use, you could get winnings into your account within hours.

E-wallet services are popular with sports bettors for a reason – both Neteller and Skrill offer cash out periods of up to 24 hours, but often payments are much quicker than that. Our recommended European betting sites all have excellent withdrawal times, so pick your favourite from our table above and start betting on the sports you love today.

The Most Popular Sports at European Betting Sites

As a continent, Europe has a proud history of sporting achievement. Many of the world’s most popular modern sports were invented by Europeans too. This history has created a continent obsessed by sport and every country has its favourites.

Inevitably, a passion for sport also means a passion for sports betting. The most popular sports for European punters include:

• • • Football/Soccer
    • Basketball
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Rugby
    • Ice Hockey
    • Handball
    • Volleyball
    • Cricket
    • Winter sports

The European bookmakers we recommend offer outstanding odds on these popular sports, plus many more.

European Betting Sites FAQ

Decimal or European odds are the most commonly used across Europe, however in the UK and Ireland, fractional odds are often preferred. All major European bookmakers will give you the chance to choose your favourite method whilst on their site.

Different betting sites allow you to bet in different currencies. Most offer major currencies such as EUR and GBP, however some offer local currencies such as CHF, SEK or RUB.

Mostly yes - Europe is home to many countries where online gambling is fully legal and many major betting companies operate. Some countries, states and cities prohibit gambling.

Definitely. Due to the fact that most the world’s major teams are based in European leagues and compete in the Champions League. It’s also the most popular sport for betting too.

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The video gaming industry is one of the most competitive businesses in the world. Heavy-hitters like Sony and Microsoft are backed by decades of profit making in other electronics and computers. Other companies are on the list on the strength of strong sales for historically popular games. The newer players – mostly companies outside the US – are players in the mobile gaming divisions.

The entire industry made over $40 billion in revenue in 2018 according to Forbes Online. The top five game companies made most of that profit. The smaller companies struggle, and even some top publishers are laying off employees. There may be some changes in the bottom five on this list year to year, but the top five are probably there to stay.

10. Gung Ho Online

Source: Gung Ho Entertainment

This company has built its fortune in the online gaming market. It started business as a developer of an online auction site as a subsidiary of Japanese cell phone company Softbank. In 2000, the company switched to online gaming services, hosting servers in Japan for a MMOG. In 2013, it released an in-house developed mobile game, Puzzles & Dragons, which accounts for the majority of its revenue. It has also acquired other game publishers since it purchased back shares from Softbank.

Did You Know?

Puzzles & Dragons is the second-highest earning mobile game ever.

9. Ubisoft

Source: Gage Skidmore [CC BY SA 2.0] via Flickr

Ubi Soft was originally a family-owned, mail order hardware and software business run from the suburbs of Paris. It was a family business whose members soon recognized the growing interest in PC games. Ubi Soft developed some titles in-house that were successful in Europe but did not translate well overseas. Eventually, the company purchased rights to distribute other titles, which enabled them to buy Red Storm Games, the maker of a popular game based on the Tom Clancy novels.

Aside from the Assassin’s Creed series, Ubisoft is known for the Far Cry series and Just Dance.

Did You Know?

Electronic Arts bought, and later sold, shares in Ubisoft.

8. King

Source: Iswjy1mcb [CC By SA 4.0] via Wikimedia Commons

King initially developed games that users could play within their web browser, eliminating the need to download and/or install software. That model didn’t prove successful initially. However, the company found success producing games for use on social media platforms like Facebook.

Within social media gaming, King would make money via so-called “micro-transactions” and through in-game advertising. This caused revenue growth of over $1 billion within two years.

Did You Know?

One of the co-founders of King sold his ownership stake years before the company became one of the top earners.

7. Namco Bandai

Source: Bandai Namco [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons

Largest Online Gambling Companies In Europe Today

Namco was already a well-known arcade game company. Bandai, a toy maker and TV show producer, has some of the world’s best-known brands, like Power Rangers. In 2005, the gaming divisions of the two companies merged.

The merged Namco Bandai Studios has some of the longest running and most popular console fighting games, such as Tekken and Soul Caliber. It also has released a number of games based on Bandai-owned IP like Dragonball and Gundam.

Did You Know?

The Bandai Namco manufacturing division is the largest toy company in the world based on revenue.

6. Electronic Arts

Source: King of Hearts [CC BY SA 3.0] via Wikipedia

Electronic Arts may be one of the most widely recognized brands in gaming culture. Former Apple employee Trip Hawkins started the company with financing and began producing a variety of games for the growing home computer market. It was a few years after the company began that EA began working on a pro football simulator that would spawn one of its more popular games, Madden NFL.

EA’s sports games are what made the company a success. However, EA acquired a number of studios over time, producing or co-producing popular games from other subgenres.

Did You Know?

Former UCLA basketball star Ed O’Bannon sued EA for using his likeness without permission. EA settled with O’Bannon, but stopped making college sports games because of the suit.

5. Activision Blizzard

Source: Activision Blizzard [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons

Activision and Blizzard were separately to of the most successful game publishers and developers of the 1990s, with Activision being one of the oldest companies in the business. During a downturn in the home gaming industry, Activision was purchased by a tech CEO and regained market share.

Blizzard was a pioneer in the online, multiplayer strategy games like Warcraft. The French company Vivendi purchased Blizzard, and Activision later acquired Vivendi’s gaming division, which included Blizzard.

Did You Know?

Activision was responsible for many of the earliest popular console games, including Pitfall first sold for the Atari 2600 in 1982.

4. Nintendo Company

Source: Evan-Amos [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons

Nintendo was in the gaming business long before computers were invented, making playing cards, and later on, toys and arcade games. It entered the console game industry in the 1970s when it distributed the Odyssey console in Japan. In 1981, it developed and released Donkey Kong, the game that spawned the signature character Mario.

Nintendo is perhaps better known for the consoles and gaming devices it has created rather than its games. The company produced a console in 1977 before launching the Famicom, NES and Game Boy systems later.

Did You Know?

The French Culture Minister knighted Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Donkey Kong, in 2006.

3. Microsoft (Xbox Games)

Source: Pexels [CC0]

Bill Gates’ company had always had an in-house game division that produced and published games with the MS-DOS operating system and for Windows. The company created a separate division for games in 2000 when it entered the console gaming arena and announced the Xbox.

Xbox Games develops and publishes games for the PC and for the console as well as publishing mobile and web browser games. It has also acquired Mojang, the developer and publisher of Minecraft.

Did You Know?

The Microsoft game Minesweeper has been included with every version of Windows (in some form) since 1992.

2. Tencent Games

Source: Public Domain

Tencent Games is a division of Tencent Holdings, a Chinese holding company with a variety of business interests, including online gaming. From the beginning, the gaming company focused on online and social media gaming to meet the interests of the growing Chinese mobile communications market. Its parent company has invested in a variety of game publishers and hosts.

Today the company continues to focus on online and mobile gaming and has its own streaming platform. It’s the largest valued game company.

Did You Know?

Tencent’s purchase of 40% of the company that makes Fortnite may make the company the largest in the world by revenue soon.

1. Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE)

Source: Solomon 203 [CC BY SA 4.0] via Wikimedia Commons

A division of electronics and entertainment conglomerate Sony, SCE began in 1993 when Sony announced the production of the Playstation game console. Since then, SCE has become the largest video game company in the world based on annual revenue.

SCE oversees the production of the hardware and peripherals for Playstation games. It is also the parent company of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide (SIE), the company that oversees the production of Sony games. Many of the studios under SIE were acquired by takeover.

Did You Know?

Sony’s revenue comes from its hardware, as it only placed two games (Marvel’s Spider Man and God of War) in the top ten list in 2018.