Micrbee Tech Team
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In short Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) is the total amount wagered by players minus the total amount paid out as winnings. It is the primary revenue metric in the gambling industry — the equivalent of gross revenue in other sectors. GGR is used for financial reporting, tax calculations, regulatory compliance contributions, and B2B revenue-share arrangements. Understanding GGR and its relationship to NGR (Net Gaming Revenue) and turnover is fundamental to iGaming business economics. |
Definition
GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue): The difference between total player wagers and total player winnings over a defined period. Expressed as a formula: GGR = Total Bets − Total Wins Paid. For example, if players wager a combined $1,000,000 in a month and receive $920,000 in winnings, the GGR is $80,000.
GGR vs Turnover vs NGR
These three metrics describe different aspects of the revenue picture.
Turnover (also called handle or volume) is the total amount wagered — $1,000,000 in the example above. Turnover is a measure of activity, not revenue. An operator can have enormous turnover and minimal GGR if the payout rate is high.
GGR is turnover minus winnings — $80,000 in the example. This is the operator's gross revenue before deducting operating costs.
NGR (Net Gaming Revenue) is GGR minus bonuses, promotional costs, and sometimes payment processing fees. If the operator spent $15,000 on bonuses and $5,000 on payment processing in that month, NGR would be $60,000. NGR represents the operator's actual retained revenue before fixed costs (staff, technology, marketing, licensing).
Why GGR Matters
GGR is the standard metric across the industry for several critical purposes. Taxation — most gambling taxes are calculated as a percentage of GGR. In the UK, Remote Gaming Duty is 21% of GGR. In Malta, the compliance contribution is 0.4–0.5% of GGR. Regulatory reporting — regulators require GGR reporting to monitor market size, operator health, and consumer spending. B2B revenue share — platform providers typically charge operators a percentage of GGR (commonly 5–15% depending on the product and volume). Investor and financial analysis — GGR is the top-line metric used to value and compare gambling businesses.
GGR by Product
GGR margins differ significantly by product type. Sportsbook GGR margins typically run 5–10% of turnover (meaning for every $100 wagered, the operator retains $5–$10). Casino slot GGR margins are typically 3–6% of turnover per spin cycle, but accumulated over many spins per session, the effective GGR per player session is higher. Table games have variable margins depending on the game and the player's skill level — blackjack might yield 1–2% of turnover from skilled players and 5–8% from recreational players. Live casino margins are similar to table games but with higher average stakes.
MicroBee and GGR
MicroBee's platform provides real-time GGR reporting across all product verticals — sportsbook, casino, live casino, esports, and virtual sports — through a unified back-office dashboard. Operators can view GGR by product, by time period, by player segment, and by jurisdiction from a single reporting interface, supporting both financial management and regulatory compliance across 50+ jurisdictions.
Related Reading
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• Casino Back Office System: From Data Dump to Decision Engine
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