Spain records 23% rise in female online gambling participation
Table of contents
- Female players in Spain’s online gambling market increased 23.5% year-on-year.
- Women now represent 16.9% of active online players, with 335,627 participants.
- Nearly half of identity theft reports come from women, despite their minority status.
Spain’s gambling regulator has recorded growth in female participation across online gambling platforms, according to an analysis published by the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ).
The regulator, operating under the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and 2030 Agenda, confirmed that active female players increased by more than 23% over the past year. Despite this expansion, women remain a minority in Spain’s online gambling market.
Female players remain minority despite growth
Female participants now account for approximately 17% of Spain’s total active online gambling population. While the growth rate for female players exceeded the percentage recorded among male participants during the same period, the market remains predominantly male.
Spain’s regulated online gambling market recorded nearly two million active players in 2024, marking a 21.6% increase from the previous year. The trend indicates the gender disparity is gradually narrowing.
The majority of female online gamblers in Spain fall into younger age brackets. According to the DGOJ analysis, nearly 60% of women who gamble online are under 35 years old, demonstrating strong concentration among digitally native demographics.
This age distribution suggests female participation growth correlates with generations possessing greater familiarity with digital platforms. The pattern aligns with broader expansion of online betting as entertainment among young adults across Europe.
Identity theft disproportionately affects women
One striking finding from the DGOJ analysis reveals that nearly half of identity theft reports in online gambling correspond to women. These complaints are channelled through the Protocol for Action for Identity Theft Victims (PACS).
The proportion is notably disproportionate given that female players constitute only a minority of active users.
The regulator has identified several potential explanations for this phenomenon. These include financial control dynamics within close environments, persistent gaps in digital security knowledge among female populations, and possible exploitation of women’s identities in fraudulent practices by third parties.
PACS was introduced in April 2024 through collaboration between DGOJ, the Spanish Tax Agency, and National Police. The protocol helps taxpayers whose identities have been misused to conceal gambling winnings and evade tax obligations.
Spending patterns differ between genders
Female players demonstrate distinct economic gambling patterns compared to the general population. Women record higher maximum winnings and lower extreme losses than men, with reported average annual losses around €539.
Regarding deposits, female players contribute an average of approximately €2,019 annually into gambling accounts. This compares to around €2,482 deposited by the general population, suggesting more cautious financial behaviour among women.
Despite lower deposit volumes, female players remain exposed to inherent activity losses. The differential suggests risk awareness may influence betting behaviour among women.
Activity concentrated on specific days and times
Female gambling activity shows distinct temporal patterns. According to DGOJ data, women record higher participation levels on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with peak activity occurring during late afternoon and evening hours.
This timing coincides with sports offer availability on platforms, reinforcing the hypothesis that significant female participation links to live sports betting. That segment has experienced robust growth throughout Spain in recent years.
The pattern differs from general market activity distributions, indicating female players may prioritise specific event types or scheduling factors when engaging with gambling platforms.
Spain’s regulated online gambling market generated record revenue in 2024. Total online gross gaming revenue reached €1.45 billion, representing a 17.6% year-on-year increase.
The DGOJ continues implementing enhanced player protection measures, including AI-based risk detection algorithms and centralised deposit limits across operators. These frameworks aim to strengthen responsible gambling standards as market participation expands.
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