GGR of legal remote gambling, according to our estimates, had been 720 million euros in 2013, the lowest figure over the period 2011 – 2013. We must go back three years to find a lower figure, 690 million euros in 2010.
| Games – GGR | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | |||
| € mln | YoY | € mln | YoY | € mln | YoY | |
| Poker Cash | 128 | 209 | 64% | 140 | -33% | |
| Poker tournament | 241 | -28% | 139 | -42% | 88 | -37% |
| Skill games | 15 | 0% | 12 | -22% | 12 | 0% |
| Casino games no slots | 49 | 142 | 188% | 135 | -5% | |
| Slots | – | 5 | 100 | |||
| Bingo | 55 | 24% | 43 | -22% | 30 | -30% |
| Sport betting | 209 | -2% | 167 | -20% | 190 | 14% |
| Other games | 38 | -32% | 32 | -17% | 25 | -21% |
| Total | 735 | 7% | 749 | 2% | 720 | -4% |
EGLA estimate (2013) ADM data (2011 2012)
But the truth is that the Italian remote gambling reached the peak in 2010, while the increase in the following two years is not real and the drop in 2013 had been higher than it seems. Spending of legal remote gambling has grown from 690 million euros to 720 in the 3 years period only because of relevant volumes contemporarily recovered from the illegal gambling. In details:
• in 2011 spending was equal to 735 million euros, an increase of 6.6%; but this hides a drop when you consider that poker cash and casino games were introduced in mid-2011; taking into account transfer of player spending from pre-existing games to the new ones, I estimate prudently the increase hides a fall equal to around -5%;
• in 2012 spending was equal to 749 million euros, an increase of 1.9%, which masks a drop if you take into account that casino games and poker cash impacted the 2011 figure for only six months and that in December 2012 online slot games were launched also; taking that into account I estimate a real fall almost equal to 5%;
• I have estimated GGR in 2013 equal to 720 million euros, a drop of 4%, which still hides a much more higher fall if you take into account that slots had been launched on December 3rd 2012 only; slots share is currently 50% of total casino games but taking into account transfer of player spending from other casino games to slots, I estimate slots introduction is worth an increase of casino games GGR equal to +50%; such assumptions implies real drop in 2013 has been -14%.
In conclusion, in the 3 years period there had been a reduction at least equal to -22% in total. A relevant fall but not a disaster, taking into account economic crisis bites. But there are also other causes. Online gambling lost the appeal that had at the beginning. Innovation is needed to restore it. And we must solve the prejudice of politicians and of third sector organisations against remote gambling. For the members of Italian Parliament online gambling is a black hole, they know nothing of it.
If the Parliament was aware of the security level of Italian legal remote gambling and if it realized that illegal remote gambling could be defeated by a competitive legal offer only, it would protect legal remote gambling, not attack it as it is currently doing.