Gambling Statistics 2024: Key Data and Market Insights

For this article, we have analyzed reputable gambling statistics resources and outlined in detail the scope of this growing industry. The insights below cover key data, including current market analysis, top-performing countries, and popular gambling activities. Be sure to read through and learn how online gambling, new demographics, and other occurring tendencies have shaped the market and will continue to impact the iGaming scene.

Updated: 13.12.2024

Reviewed by: Lewis Constable

Key Gambling Stats

By 2029, online gambling's estimated market volume is set to reach $133 billion.
World gambling reports state that 26% of the global population is considered active gamblers.
35% of UK youth use mobile devices to access casino websites or apps.
Canada has the highest projected rate of user penetration in the online gambling sector, reaching over 69%.
According to the gambling statistics UK, slot games have seen a stunning 18% spike in interest compared to last year, making it the second- most favoured gambling activity, right behind betting.
Historically, the USA has always been and still is at the top of casino gambling rankings, followed by Macau, Italy, Great Britain, and Germany.
The UK Gambling Commission is set to introduce a statutory levy on gambling operators, which will produce an additional $125 million in funding to support responsible gambling initiatives.

Global Gambling Overview: How Big is the Market?

The global gambling market maintains its status as a healthy, growing industry. Reputable casino stats predict that the market size is estimated to grow by $31.2 in the period of 2023-2028. Looking further ahead, if we consider ongoing trends, the market is expected to reach $342.31 billion in revenue by 2029.

With North America leading the way in this industry, other continents are also making significant efforts to maintain their positions in the global market. According to statisticians, Europe is the second-largest casino hub, with the UK, Italy, and Germany as top performers, followed by Asia's Macau.

Increased social media use is cited as one of the main reasons for driving a greater exposure to new audiences. As a domino effect, this also influenced the growth in female gamblers. Additionally, an entirely new segment of eSports betting was introduced, bringing in a new audience. Emerging markets also play a major role, powered by gambling legalization and advancements like AR/VR technology implementation.

“In global comparison, most revenue will be generated in the United States ($24.98 billion in 2024).” — Statista, 2024.

Top-Performing Countries in the Gambling Market

It's important to understand why specific shifts happen in the market, how they are perceived by the public, and what long- or short-term impacts they bring. To do so, we have researched the top 10 leading countries in the gambling industry and offer our expert opinion.

With the US maintaining its historical top-one spot, Asia outruns major European competitors with its massive Western investments, while Europe slowly but surely regains momentum after the pandemic. Besides the obvious drivers like mobile compatibility and online platform popularization, there are some other aspects shaping this growth on the market.

If we take a closer look at European gambling leaders like Italy, the UK, Germany, and France, all these countries share one mutual similarity and it's a collective passion for sports, especially. football. This creates a beneficial environment for sports betting, substantially influencing revenues. The advent of eSports in betting is also fuelling growth, bringing in a completely new demographic to the industry.

The Asian gambling sector is also on a steady climb. For instance, after Singapore and China passed the 30-day visa-free policy, the Singaporean gambling scene saw a solid boost in active audiences, primarily arriving from China. Macau is another noteworthy player in Asia's gambling scene. Powered by heavy investments from American giants like Las Vegas Sands, MGM, and Wynn Resorts, Macau is considered one of the top destinations for casino tourism.

Country	Projected GGR in 2024, billions of USD
USA	70
Macau	29
Italy	21.1
UK	20.1
Germany	18.2
Australia	16.25
Canada	14.2
France	14.1
Singapore	5.9
Netherlands	4.9

Online Gambling Statistics

A quick fun fact for you: credible studies show that around 1.6 billion people worldwide gamble, with many now favouring online platforms. Following the findings of reputable statisticians, post-pandemic consequences and the global popularization of smartphones are key forces behind this increasing trend. The graph below showcases UK players' preferences in 2024, with Any Gambling Online topping the chart at 38%. To prove the point even further, industry experts predict that the online gambling segment is on track to reach $127.3 billion by 2027.

With iSlots carrying 72% of all online gaming revenue in the first half of 2024, the Netherlands is an excellent example of how gambling preferences are shifting toward online platforms. Considering its 5.4% gambling population, the online and land-based casino sectors are coming in close, with offline casinos leading by just 10%. Interestingly, despite revenues increasing for both online and land-based casinos, the offline segment still remains below pre-pandemic levels.

Demographic Shifts

Our analysis shows that the online gambling audience is becoming more diverse, with the younger demographic (ages 18-34) making up a large portion of users. Popular live dealer games like Roulette, Poker, Blackjack, and Baccarat are popular among the younger public. Female participation is also rising, representing 45% of online casino gamblers.

Mobile vs. Desktop Gambling

UK gambling reports state that 17% of the population gambles online. Delving deeper into UK data, we found that mobile phones are the primary tool for accessing gambling platforms, with laptops being the second most commonly used device. Advancing internet penetration rates have also substantially influenced growth by strengthening broadband networks and introducing new geos.

To maintain a competitive advantage, many online platforms heavily invest in user experience and various promotional activities. With technology constantly developing and offering new solutions, the gambling industry is always quick to adapt to the newest upgrades. For instance, AR and VR technologies are considered the next big step in the casino experience, further pushing the boundaries of immersion.

Popular Gambling Activities Around the World

Gambling is as versatile as it gets, providing different types of thrill from slots and sports betting to lotteries and bingo. Global gambling trends highlight the lottery as the most popular activity in the US (37%), while casino games lead in Europe (39%). In this block, we have dissected each popular form of gambling, highlighting useful insights and key data.

Online Slots

Online slots are a digital adaptation of original slot machines, offering both classic and new titles with a myriad of innovative features. This year’s numbers also show that iSlots generated around 80% of online gambling revenue.
Live Dealer Games

Thanks to real-time interactions, live dealer games became a core category to online casinos in last years. This trend started attracting more attention in the post-pandemic period. Gamblers enjoy the authentic atmosphere created by web platforms, bringing the experience of a real casino directly to their screens.
Poker

With skill, chance, and social interaction at its core, poker is considered one of the most popular and competitive gambling disciplines. In France, for example, online poker generated over half a billion USD in revenue in 2023 alone.
Lottery Games

The lottery is considered one of the most widespread forms of gambling, with tickets available at nearly every corner store. Notably, the United States generated over $113 billion in lottery sales in 2023.
Bingo

Social interaction and simple rules are considered some of the key appeal factors for bingo. For example, Great Britain, one of the heavy players on the global bingo markets, faced a £670 million decline due to pandemic lockdowns in 2020.
Sports Betting

The betting industry has been a key part of the gambling scene for many years now. The market value of sports betting in 2023 was $93.62 billion and is projected to double by 2030. On top of that, the betting sector is seeing a rise in younger audiences, made possible thanks to the popularization of eSports.

What Drives People to Gamble?

There are several aspects of gambling that players often seek beyond its primary goal of entertainment. The most common is as straightforward as it gets — winning money. Nothing beats the thrill of a quick win, whether it comes from a successfully placed bet or a lucky spin. Others enjoy the excitement of getting a prize or sharing the joy of a friend’s win. Meanwhile, more competitive individuals believe placing a bet makes sports more interesting, adding extra excitement to an anticipated match. Here are some interesting insights about the main drivers motivating people to gamble:

52% of young people in the UK have gambled at least once in their lives.
The UK gambling statistics also state that 80% of people gamble solely for fun.
According to Statista, in Italy, around 29% of people aged 18–34 gamble in pursuit of easy money, while the older demographic (31%) primarily hopes for a big win.
As of November 2023, when gamblers in Great Britain were asked about their potential reasons for wanting to quit, 41% said they wanted to save money or spend it on other things.

Problem Gambling Awareness

The spike in problem gambling-related issues was inevitable given the striving success of the industry. Despite numerous responsible gambling measures aimed at preventing addiction, the scope of the issue continues to grow. After conducting thorough, detail-oriented research, our experts highlighted the key factors surrounding the topic.

While it is socially accepted in many communities to gamble occasionally, this practice significantly impacts people's ability to critically self-evaluate and recognize potential problems. Some European countries are actively developing new legislations requiring gambling operators to invest in support and treatment institutions. The self-exclusion programs in the EU are a great example of this approach, designed to provide a healthier environment and tackle potential difficulties before they arise.

Great Britain is an outstanding example of a jurisdiction taking measures to regulate gambling exposure and minimize the risk of unintended involvement. The UK's Betting and Gaming Council launched an initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable groups from gambling-related advertisements.

A clear understanding of these risks is essential to maintaining controlled behavior. Offering help and support to those addicted to gambling is equally as important. Below, we have outlined some of the core gambling facts and stats regarding problem gambling:

Despite claiming that gambling is an opportunity to socialize, players aged between 50 and 64 are more likely to gamble alone compared to younger individuals.
Risky behavior is more common among young adults aged 18–24.
Lower-income individuals spend a much substantial portion of their funds on gambling than those in higher-income brackets.
Statisticians report that men are more likely to experience gambling addiction than women.
Self-exclusion is more frequent among middle-aged adults.
The homeless population suffers from problem gambling 9 times more than the general public.

Conclusion

In this day and age, every aspect of life is quick to modernize, and the gambling industry is no exception. Fueled by technological progress, gambling has seen a significant upgrade, offering more entertainment and new possibilities. While we enjoy the benefits of modern iGaming today, the future promises even greater advancements. However, it is important to stay on track not only with the latest trends but also to take care of yourself and remain mindful of your decisions. Always remember to play responsibly and ensure that gambling remains strictly entertaining.

Lewis Constable

Expert in: News, Blog, Slot reviews

A seasoned iGaming copywriter with 10+ years of experience working for some of the sector’s biggest names, Lewis is a human encyclopedia of all things online casino!