Forum in Lisbon on Mobile Monetization of Gambling
The Forum in Lisbon on Mobile Monetization of Gambling, held in May 2025, gathered more than 600 specialists from across Europe and Latin America. Industry professionals discussed how mobile platforms shape the future of online casinos, from player acquisition strategies to responsible gaming policies. With Portugal becoming a central hub for gambling innovation after registering a 28% increase in mobile gaming revenue in 2024, Lisbon was a natural choice for this international meeting point. The event emphasized data-driven approaches, highlighted success stories, and presented new regulatory frameworks shaping the mobile casino environment.
The second day of the forum was marked by a presentation involving case studies from Betify, one of the most dynamic online casino operators to experiment with mobile-first strategies. Analysts reported that in Q4 2024, more than 72% of casino traffic in Western Europe came from smartphones, while tablet usage remained stable at 9%. For Betify, mobile slots generated 63% of total bets placed, a figure that reflects the growing preference for short, fast sessions rather than long desktop play. This tendency was further supported by research from the University of Porto, showing that the average mobile gambler now spends 22 minutes per session, compared to 35 minutes on desktop platforms.
Mobile Casinos Driving Market Expansion
During the Lisbon discussions, panelists agreed that mobile casinos are no longer an “alternative channel” but the backbone of modern gambling. Between 2020 and 2024, the European online gambling sector saw mobile revenue increase by 41%, while desktop stagnated. Countries like Spain and Italy reported double-digit growth, largely fueled by improved 5G coverage and lower latency. Speakers emphasized how casino developers adapt games to mobile screen sizes, ensuring user interfaces are intuitive, with instant payments and personalized notifications.
Case Studies and Practical Insights
One notable panel featured Maria Esteves, a Portuguese economist, who presented findings on the monetization models used by operators across 14 EU countries. She noted that loyalty programs within mobile casino apps increased customer lifetime value by up to 18%. At the same time, Scandinavian regulators highlighted the importance of age verification systems, pointing to Finland’s 2023 legislation that introduced biometric identification. Such measures, though sometimes costly, have proven effective in maintaining trust while still boosting operator revenue.
The Role of Emerging Markets
The Lisbon forum also gave attention to Latin American markets, particularly Brazil and Colombia, which together accounted for nearly $3.4 billion in online gambling revenue in 2024. Experts noted that 85% of Brazilian gamblers accessed casinos exclusively via mobile, driven by affordable smartphones and rising internet penetration. Lisbon’s choice as a location also reflected Portugal’s historical ties with Brazil, allowing direct dialogue between European and South American stakeholders.
Future Outlook of Mobile Gambling Monetization
Looking ahead, speakers forecasted that by 2027, mobile platforms will represent over 80% of total global online casino revenues. Artificial intelligence-driven personalization, micro-transactions, and live dealer games optimized for handheld devices are expected to dominate. The Lisbon forum closed with a consensus that gambling’s mobile transformation is irreversible, and innovation must focus on balancing profitability with responsibility. The presence of regulators, economists, and casino operators in the same room underscored how strategic cooperation is essential to sustain both growth and integrity in this rapidly evolving sector.
