GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue)
GGR is the money an operator keeps from bets after paying out winnings — total stakes minus total winnings paid to players.
Definition
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) is the headline top-line revenue metric in gambling: the total amount wagered by players (stakes or "handle") minus the total amount paid back to them as winnings, before any deductions for bonuses, marketing, gaming taxes, or operating costs. It represents the theoretical or actual gross margin the house earns from play, and over a large volume of games it converges toward the built-in house edge. GGR is distinct from "turnover" or "handle" (the gross amount staked, which can be many times larger because winnings are re-wagered) and from Net Gaming Revenue (NGR), which subtracts further items. Regulators, tax authorities, and operators use GGR as a primary basis for reporting, licensing fees, and — in many jurisdictions — the calculation of gaming duty.
Worked example
Suppose a slot has an RTP (Return to Player) of 96%, which means a house edge of 4% (RTP + house edge = 100%). Over a period, players stake a total of $1,000,000 on the game. Statistically the game pays back 96% as winnings — $960,000 — and retains 4%. So GGR = $1,000,000 stakes − $960,000 winnings = $40,000. If the operator awarded $5,000 in bonus credits and owed $8,000 in gaming tax and payment fees against this play, a commonly used NGR would be roughly $40,000 − $5,000 − $8,000 = $27,000. Note that "handle" here is the $1,000,000 staked, not the players' original deposits, since winnings get re-bet.
Why it matters
GGR is the single most important revenue figure in the industry: it drives operator valuations, revenue-share deals with affiliates and game suppliers, and the tax and licensing obligations set by regulators. Learners need it to read financial reports and market-size data correctly, and professionals rely on it to compare products and channels on a like-for-like basis. Understanding that GGR is the house's retained margin — not player profit — also reinforces that, in aggregate, the mathematics favor the operator, which is central to responsible-gambling messaging.
Related
Note: The core formula (GGR = stakes − winnings paid) is a stable definition. However, exactly what NGR subtracts from GGR — bonuses, free bets, promotional costs, gaming taxes, payment/processing fees, or duties — varies by operator and jurisdiction, so any NGR figure should be checked against the specific definition in use. Whether tax is levied on GGR versus NGR (and the applicable rate) is jurisdiction-specific and should be verified against local regulation.