What Is GGR? Gross Gaming Revenue Explained

Every conversation about casino economics eventually comes back to one number. GGR, or gross gaming revenue, is the core revenue metric in iGaming: the amount players wager minus the amount they win back. In this guide, we'll explain what GGR means, how it's calculated, how it differs from NGR, and why it matters to operators. It's the figure most platform pricing and reporting is built around.

What Is GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue)?

GGR (gross gaming revenue) is the total amount players wager minus the total amount paid out to them in winnings, over a given period. It represents the casino's gross win before any costs such as bonuses, fees or taxes are deducted. GGR is the headline measure of how much a casino is earning from play.

The basic GGR formula:

• GGR: Total wagers minus total player winnings.
• Before costs: It excludes bonuses, platform fees, taxes and marketing.
• Per period: Usually measured daily, monthly or annually.
• Core metric: The primary figure for pricing and performance.

How Is GGR Calculated?

GGR is straightforward: add up everything players bet, then subtract everything they won. The result is the casino's gross win.

In this example, players wagered a million and won back 950,000, leaving 50,000 in gross gaming revenue. The percentage retained reflects the house edge across the games played.

GGR vs NGR: What's the Difference?

GGR is often confused with NGR (net gaming revenue), but they measure different things. NGR is GGR after deductions.

• GGR: Wagers minus winnings, before any costs.
• NGR: GGR minus bonuses, fees, taxes and sometimes other costs.
• Why it matters: Contracts and revenue shares may be based on one or the other, so the definition matters.

Why GGR Matters to Operators

GGR is the number operators, platforms and regulators anchor to, which is why understanding it is essential.

• Platform pricing: Turnkey platforms often charge a share of GGR, so it drives your cost.
• Performance: GGR tracks how much your games are earning over time.
• Benchmarking: It lets you compare periods, games and player segments.
• Planning: GGR feeds forecasts, bankroll sizing and marketing budgets.

Because pricing is tied to GGR, an aligned platform partner earns when you do. See our cost guide for how GGR share fits the model.

FAQ: GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue)

1. What is GGR? Gross gaming revenue is the total amount players wager minus the total they win back, over a period. It's the casino's gross win before bonuses, fees and taxes.
2. How is GGR calculated? Add up all player wagers and subtract all player winnings. The result is GGR, and the percentage retained reflects the house edge across the games played.
3. What's the difference between GGR and NGR? GGR is wagers minus winnings before costs, while NGR (net gaming revenue) is GGR after deducting bonuses, fees, taxes and sometimes other costs.
4. Why does GGR matter? It's the core revenue metric in iGaming. Platform pricing, revenue shares, performance tracking and forecasting are all typically anchored to GGR.
5. Is platform pricing based on GGR? Often, yes. Turnkey platforms commonly charge a tiered share of GGR, which aligns the provider's earnings with the operator's.

Glossary of Key Terms

• GGR: Gross gaming revenue; wagers minus winnings before costs.
• NGR: Net gaming revenue; GGR after bonuses, fees and taxes.
• Wager: An amount a player bets.
• House edge: The operator's mathematical advantage over time.
• Revenue share: A pricing model based on a percentage of GGR.
• Hold: The percentage of wagers a casino retains as GGR.

Understand the Number That Drives Your Casino

GGR is the metric everything else is measured against, from platform pricing to performance and planning. Understanding it, and how it differs from NGR, is fundamental to running a profitable casino. Ready to see how aligned GGR-based pricing works? Book a demo with i-play.io today.