Eastern Europe has transformed from a loosely defined grey zone into one of the most dynamic regions for regulated gambling in the world. Once dominated by offline betting shops and informal operators, the area now represents a complex mosaic of high-intent digital players, strict but evolving legislation, and rapidly growing local brands.
The region combines fast digital adoption, large untapped audiences, and emerging regulatory clarity, making it a magnet for operators, affiliates, and B2B suppliers looking for sustainable growth outside saturated Western markets.
According to industry data, Europe’s total gambling Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) reached €123.4 billion in 2024, with online gambling accounting for ~€47.9 billion — and rising by 7% annually through 2029. Eastern Europe’s share of that growth continues to expand, driven by countries like Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Slovakia, each with their own distinct market realities.
Below, we go country-by-country to uncover how these markets compare — and what it takes to succeed in each.
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Poland — The powerhouse of Eastern Europe
Poland stands as the largest and most promising gambling market in Eastern Europe. With its 38 million citizens, advanced digital infrastructure, and a maturing legal framework, Poland offers unmatched scale and long-term opportunity – especially in sports betting.
Unlike many of its neighbours, Poland has fully legalised online sports betting for private operators, while maintaining a state monopoly on online casino through Totalizator Sportowy’s TotalCasino platform. This dual structure creates a unique balance: private innovation in sportsbooks alongside public control in casino gaming.
The Polish market is fiercely competitive but transparent. Operators such as STS, Fortuna, Superbet, Betano, and Betclic dominate both online and offline channels. The tax structure — 12% turnover tax on bets — is heavy, but doesn’t deter growth, as bettors adapt through parlay and same-game combinations to maintain returns.
Key Market Snapshot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Online Casino | State monopoly (Totalizator Sportowy / TotalCasino) |
| Sports Betting | Licensed and open to private operators |
| Taxation | Betting — 12% turnover; Casino — 50% GGR under monopoly |
| Regulator | Ministry of Finance |
| Top Operators | STS, Fortuna, Superbet, Betano, Betclic |
| Winning Strategy | 1. Obtain a sports-betting license 2. Offer a full Polish UX (language, payments, mobile-first) 3. Integrate BLIK, Przelewy24, PayU 4. Publish legal and tax education content 5. Invest in brand-building and compliance-first marketing |
Why Poland matters:
It’s a market where scale and trust drive performance. With strong purchasing power and a growing appetite for digital betting, Poland is Eastern Europe’s most lucrative but also most competitive market — perfect for operators that can balance regulation with innovation.
Most Popular Game Provider in Poland
According to Slotcatalog, Hacksaw Gaming currently has five titles among the 30 most visible titles at online casinos in Poland. Another popular studio is Pragmatic Play. New game developer Print Studios is an up-and-comer showing strong growth.
Romania — The open, brand-driven market
Romania represents the most open and diversified online gambling ecosystem in Eastern Europe. The country’s framework under ONJN (National Gambling Office) allows both online casino and sports betting, attracting a wide mix of local and international operators.
This openness has helped Romania become one of the region’s fastest-growing iGaming markets, combining a strong regulatory base with a vibrant player culture. According to our Ahrefs and AnswerThePublic analysis, Romanian users show exceptionally high search intent around legality, withdrawal processes, and trusted casino brands — signalling a well-educated player base that values transparency.
Dominant brands such as Superbet, Betano, Casa Pariurilor, Unibet, and NetBet own most of the organic traffic through long-term SEO investments and strong sports sponsorships.
Key Market Snapshot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Online Casino | Fully licensed and open |
| Sports Betting | Licensed and open |
| Taxation | ~16–23% GGR, plus corporate tax (~16%) |
| Regulator | ONJN |
| Top Operators | Superbet, Betano, Casa Pariurilor, Unibet, NetBet, PokerStars |
| Winning Strategy | Deep localisation, native language UX, fast withdrawals, transparency in payments and terms |
Why Romania matters:
Romania’s blend of regulatory maturity, player trust, and open licensing makes it one of the easiest Eastern European markets to enter — but not to dominate. The challenge is standing out among strong local brands that already own user trust. Success here depends on speed, transparency, and native communication rather than aggressive bonuses.
Most Popular Game Provider in Romania
Section 8 Studio is a game developer that is relatively unknown in iGaming, but in Romania, it currently has four titles among the most popular games.
Czech Republic — Stability meets opportunity
The Czech Republic offers a balanced and transparent regulatory environment, where both casino and sportsbook verticals are fully licensed and open to foreign operators.
Following its 2024 Gambling Act amendment, the country expanded licensing access for foreign brands while raising GGR taxes to ensure fair revenue contribution. Although this means higher operator costs, it also stabilises the market and creates clear expectations for compliance.
Operators such as Tipsport, Fortuna, and Sazka/Allwyn dominate locally, but new entrants with compliant frameworks and local partnerships can still gain ground.
Key Market Snapshot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Online Casino | Fully licensed and open |
| Sports Betting | Licensed and open |
| Taxation | 30% GGR (FOB, bingo, etc.), 35% GGR (casino, lotteries) |
| Regulator | Ministry of Finance / Customs Administration |
| Top Operators | Tipsport, Fortuna, Sazka/Allwyn |
| Winning Strategy | Responsible gaming tools, Czech-language UX, compliance-first communication, retail partnerships |
Why Czechia matters:
With one of the most predictable licensing frameworks in Central Europe, Czechia attracts both foreign and domestic operators seeking long-term growth. The higher tax rate is offset by strong player loyalty and high channelisation (low black-market share) — a key sign of market maturity.
Most Popular Game Provider in Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, Pragmatic Play dominates—as it does in so many other markets—with three titles among the ten most popular right now.
Bulgaria — The rising digital contender
Bulgaria has emerged as one of the region’s fastest-growing online gambling markets, combining liberal licensing with EU-aligned regulation.
The industry contributes significantly to the national budget — roughly BGN 200 million in 2024 — and continues to grow as more land-based operators expand online. The National Revenue Agency (NRA) oversees the market, where brands like Efbet, Winbet, Betano, and Palms Bet dominate.
The sector is preparing for a tax increase from 20% to 25% GGR in 2026, but the strong player base and rising interest in online slots mitigate any downside.
Key Market Snapshot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Online Casino | Licensed (EU/EEA operators allowed) |
| Sports Betting | Licensed |
| Taxation | 20% GGR (increasing to 25% from Jan 2026) |
| Regulator | National Revenue Agency (NRA) |
| Top Operators | Efbet, Winbet, Betano, Palms Bet |
| Winning Strategy | Strict compliance, localised payments (ePay, EasyPay), mobile-first casino UX, ad-rule adherence |
Why Bulgaria matters:
Bulgaria’s consistent online growth and EU-friendly regulations make it ideal for expansion within a stable framework. The market’s core strength lies in its casino-heavy player culture, though increased scrutiny on advertising and responsible gambling will reward compliant and transparent operators.
Most Popular Game Provider in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, CT Interactive totally dominates, with 9 out of 10 of the country’s most popular games coming from this provider.
Slovakia — The quiet success story
Slovakia’s gambling market is less publicised but remarkably healthy. After its 2019 reforms, the URHH (Office for the Regulation of Gambling) opened the door for both online betting and casino licenses, transforming the market into a digital-first environment.
The country has seen online gambling revenue rise by 30% year-over-year in 2024, driven by the growing popularity of mobile betting and tighter enforcement against unlicensed sites. More than 800 illegal domains have been blocked, helping drive players toward regulated options like Tipsport, Fortuna, and Niké.
Key Market Snapshot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Online Casino | Licensed |
| Sports Betting | Licensed |
| Taxation | 22% GGR (online betting & casino), 6% turnover (land-based betting) |
| Regulator | URHH |
| Top Operators | Tipsport, Fortuna, Niké |
| Winning Strategy | Local-language UX, mobile optimisation, deep product education, partnerships with local sports media |
Why Slovakia matters:
With rising revenues and growing regulatory stability, Slovakia represents a medium-sized but high-quality opportunity. The cost of entry is moderate, and channelisation (migration to legal platforms) continues to improve — making it ideal for regional operators seeking sustainable growth without the cut-throat competition of Poland or Romania.
Most Popular Game Provider in Slovakia
In Slovakia, Pragmatic Play and CT Interactive dominate among the most popular slot games in the country.
Ukraine — Potential wrapped in uncertainty
Ukraine re-legalised gambling in 2020, aiming to attract investment and channel a booming black market into a regulated system. But progress has been turbulent. The regulator KRAIL was dissolved in 2025 and replaced by a new state authority, creating temporary uncertainty.
Despite the challenges, Ukraine remains a long-term opportunity due to its population size (~41 million) and strong betting culture. Several local and international operators have already obtained licenses for online casino and sports betting, while others are waiting for clearer implementation rules.
Key Market Snapshot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Online Casino | Legal since 2020; licensed under evolving framework |
| Sports Betting | Legal and licensed |
| Taxation | Still under reform; expected GGR-based system |
| Regulator | New state authority replacing KRAIL |
| Top Operators | Parimatch (historical), Cosmolot, Slots City |
| Winning Strategy | Long-term preparation, partnerships, compliance readiness, localisation and trust building |
Why Ukraine matters:
It’s a high-risk, high-reward market. Once the new regulatory body stabilises, Ukraine could become the next regional growth story. Early movers who establish credibility, local payment integration, and strong compliance foundations will enjoy a significant first-mover advantage.
Most Popular Game Provider in Ukraine
Neogames and Evoplay are the game developers with the most titles in the top 10 in Ukraine, according to Slotcatalog.
Summary — Eastern Europe 2025 at a Glance
| Country | Population | Casino Market | Betting Market | Tax Model | Market Type | Opportunity Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇱 Poland | 38M | Monopoly (TotalCasino) | Licensed | Turnover (12%) | Regulated | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🇷🇴 Romania | 19M | Licensed | Licensed | GGR (~16–23%) | Regulated | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 10.7M | Licensed | Licensed | GGR (30–35%) | Regulated | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | 6.8M | Licensed | Licensed | GGR (20→25%) | Regulated | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🇸🇰 Slovakia | 5.5M | Licensed | Licensed | GGR (22%) | Regulated | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🇺🇦 Ukraine | 41M | Licensed (developing) | Licensed (developing) | Evolving | Transitioning | ⭐⭐⭐ (future potential) |
Final Takeaway
The Eastern European gambling industry is entering its most important growth phase yet. While Poland commands the largest potential, Romania and the Czech Republic offer the most balanced mix of openness, maturity, and regulatory predictability. Bulgaria and Slovakia are rising mid-tier players, perfect for agile operators and affiliates.
Ukraine remains a long-term play, dependent on political and regulatory stability — but one worth watching.
To win in these markets, businesses must focus on:
- Licensing and compliance-first operations
- Full localisation — language, payment, and UX
- Player trust through transparency and speed
- SEO and educational content based on local intent
Eastern Europe isn’t the “next frontier” anymore — it’s the current opportunity, ready for those who understand its complexity and act with precision.
Based on market regulation data, industry reports, Ahrefs keyword research, and AnswerThePublic player intent analysis.
Sources:
- Poland’s Gambling Act & monopoly framework; betting turnover tax 12%, online-casino 50% GGR under state operator; discussion of reform scenarios. ICLG Business Reports
- Romania (ONJN licensing; GGR-based taxes ~16–23%; recent tightening of obligations). Legarithm
- Czech Republic 2024 amendments (foreign operator access; GGR tax to 30% for most products; 35% for casinos/lotteries). SBC News
- Bulgaria: current 20% GGR on online gambling and move to 25% GGR from Jan 2026; local payments environment; 2024 budget contribution and illegal-market pressure. Softswiss
- Slovakia: 2024 online revenue growth (~30% YoY) and tax split (online betting & casino 22% GGR; land-based betting 6% of turnover). Yogonet
- Europe market context (2024 GGR ~€123.4bn; online ~€47.9bn). iGB
