Thus, it can be thought that the online gambling industry is beginning to feel the post-pandemic ravages; but that could recover in the coming days, depending on the strategies adopted by the different operators. And, while we learn about these types of strategies for recovery, we remind you to appreciate the current panorama of the online gambling sphere in Spain.

Online gambling revenue in Spain for the first quarter of 2022 In a monthly comparison, online gambling and betting almost remain in the same margins. However, when comparing with the same balance of the previous year, a drop of up to 31.6% can be seen, highlighting what some of the best online casinos established in Spain collect. In this way, on average, about 24.81 million euros have entered for the first quarter of 2022; which is not bad for the industry, but it is a lower margin, compared to the data recorded in the first quarter of the 2021 period (when they managed to raise 36.24 million euros).

While, in relation to how the industry has behaved around the autonomous communities, the changes are very subtle. It is highlighted that only three communities stood out with increases in their income and these communities were: Asturias with an increase of 554,000 euros, Castilla-La Mancha that obtained an increase of up to 1.16 million euros, and Catalonia that managed to obtain nearly 4.70 million euros.

How are these income margins reflected in taxes?

But, if what really matters is how these revenues are reflected in taxes, according to several analysts, as well as the data presented by SELAE for the contributions linked to the IAJ (Gaming Activity Tax), the improvements were minimal.

Therefore, having obtained tax income of 10.42 million euros in the first quarter of the previous year. For this 2022, they barely achieved a collection of 10.37 million euros. However, especially for public finances, this type of data can be worrying, since according to SELAE data, the industry has posted a negative deficit of up to -26.5% since last March.

However, in relation to the administrative management fee, the income obtained managed to reach a margin of up to 27.68 million euros (data also from the first quarter of this year). This represents a higher level, compared to the margins provided by the General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) which was 23.50 million euros. Thus, at first glance it can be seen how online gambling continues to be one of the most profitable businesses for the regulatory body. Since, previously, for this same item, they managed to add revenues of up to 22.31 million euros during the same period of 2021. Which has represented an increase of up to 24.1% compared to the same cycle of the previous year.

In relation to the rate of the game in general, the data is still more discreet. In this way, for the first quarter of 2022, they barely managed to add 522,000 euros, and the annual budget for the sector barely represents 5.87 million euros. In such a way that a reduction of up to 43.8% can be seen compared to the 929,000 euros reported for the first quarter of 2021.

Conclusion

The online gaming industry was one of those that best adapted to the circumstances of the pandemic; becoming one of the alternatives for leisure and entertainment, for people who were kept locked up. And, in a period of normalization, it seems reasonable that the income and tax margins are marginal, but constant.

A sector that still has a great future on the horizon, with new entertainment options that will be linked to the possibility of taking advantage of greater technological advantages.

On the other hand, it will be good to know in this process of expansion and adaptation of online gaming, how all those businesses that participate in the gaming industry adapt, but physically. Where, more physical sites seem to be established, but with fewer people wanting to participate (with a reduction in their turnover of up to 47%).

It is even a wake-up call for a sector that is too closely linked to economic cycles. And, the impact of the pandemic and economic recession seems like a heavy blow that very few participants will be able to withstand. Thus, it would be good, at the end of this period, to know those who managed to survive, and the techniques they used to stay current.