Lotteries in Europe contribute record breaking 25 billion euros to society

EL’s figures provide policymakers with essential information on the lottery sector in
Europe and in particular its importance as a contributor to the State budget and the financing of good causes. It contributed 2,5 billion euros to the funding of sport (mainly grassroots sport).

Lotteries in the EU kept up the growth of previous years with a 4.2 per cent rise for lottery sales in the EU. In the past year, they reached a turnover of more than 80 billion for draw-based and instant games and sports betting. The total sales from EL members amount to a spectacular 100 billion in turnover if the revenue from electronic gaming machines, which are offered by some EL members, is included.

A record breaking 25 billion euros from revenue generated by lotteries in Europe returned to society through payments to the State budgets and the funding of causes of general interest. This means that almost 70 per cent of the gross gaming revenue generated by EL members (the stakes minus the prizes) was returned to society.

Almost 2.5 billion euros went to sport, mainly grassroots sport in Europe. More than 19000 persons are employed by EL members in the EU. EL members in the EU create an additional 290 000 jobs through indirect employment.

EL President Friedrich Stickler: “Our figures clearly show how our members are essential contributors to the benefit of society throughout Europe and how essential it is that the public utility model that we stand for is preserved. I urge the governments throughout Europe to continue their efforts to fight the presence of illegal operators that flood consumers with dangerous and illicit products and are threatening the basis on which we operate”.

The figures are aggregates of public data submitted to European Lotteries by its members. EL has been collecting this data since 2006.