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In this guide, we examine a broad range of gambling and casino statistics, including online gambling trends, revenue patterns, gender disparities, and the impact of major global events on the industry. The statistics we examined reveal several noteworthy and evolving trends across the global gambling landscape.
A Quick Overview of the Gambling Statistics We Looked at
The gambling and casino statistics we reviewed span multiple major markets, including the U.S., U.K., China, Canada, and several others. Below is a brief snapshot of some key findings from our research.
Over a Quarter of the World Gamble
Gambling and casino stats show that around 26% of adults globally gamble regularly, which translates to nearly 900 million people. Furthermore, just under 47% of the population, around 4 billion people, gamble at least once a year.
Gambling Statistics Worldwide Show Differences Between Countries
Not all countries gamble in the same way or at the same rate. The rate of gambling, types of popular gambling, and what to gamble on differ between countries.
Gambling is on The Rise
In almost every country with regulated gambling, revenue has seen a consistent YoY growth rate in virtually every sector. Much of this is due to increased online access, improved service quality, and regulatory changes.
Men Gamble More Than Women
Despite the country, statistics show that men are much more likely to gamble than women and are also at almost double the risk of developing problematic gambling behaviors.
Statistics on Gambling in More Detail
Below, we explore gambling and casino statistics in greater depth, examining the most popular forms of gambling worldwide, which countries gamble and lose the most, and how COVID-19 reshaped online gambling habits.
Sports Betting is the Fastest-Growing Sector
Sports Betting revenue has grown at an incredible rate over the last five years. This is mainly due to regulatory changes in countries, particularly the US and Canada. However, growth has also been consistent in European countries and other regions that haven’t seen significant changes.
In 2024, the global sports betting market was estimated to be worth $98.67 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.8% during 2025–2034, which would put the market at over $270 billion.
| Year | US Sports Betting Revenue (USD billions) | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | $0.43 | — |
| 2019 | $0.91 | +111.6% |
| 2020 | $1.55 | +70.3% |
| 2021 | $4.34 | +180.6% |
| 2022 | $7.56 | +74.1% |
| 2023 | $10.92 | +44.4% |
| 2024 | $13.10 | +20.0% |
The table above highlights the rapid growth of sports betting in the US. These huge rises are not just because of legal changes but due to the rapid development of mobile and in-play betting, aggressive marketing, the popularity of same-game parlays, and deeper integration of betting into sports media and fan culture. Improved technology, personalized odds, and strong engagement from younger bettors also boost activity.
Most Popular Games According to Casino Stats
Casino gaming still represents the largest share of total gambling revenue in nearly every country. Slots are the most popular casino game worldwide, accounting for around 80% of casino revenue in the U.S.
Blackjack, known for offering the highest RTP among table games, remains the top choice of table games across North America and much of Europe, both in person and on the internet, with hundreds of online blackjack casinos available.
In contrast, Asia, particularly Macau, strongly favors baccarat, which dominates the market and can account for up to 80–90% of total casino revenue in Macau, making it one of the most regionally influential games in the world.
| Country | Most Popular Online Casino Games |
|---|---|
| United States | Slots, Blackjack, Live Dealer Games |
| United Kingdom | Slots, Roulette, Live Dealer Games |
| Australia | Slots/Pokies, Blackjack, Live Roulette |
| Canada | Slots, Blackjack, Baccarat |
| China (Macau/Hong Kong) | Baccarat, Roulette, Sic Bo |
The Biggest Losers According to Online Casino Statistics
The United States leads in total gambling volume, but Australia and Singapore spend the most per person. Australians also hold one of the most unfortunate statistics in gambling statistics: the highest gambling losses per person.
On average, Australians lose over $1,000 annually, nearly double the per-capita losses in the U.S. The table below highlights the 10 countries with the highest gambling losses per capita worldwide.
| Country | Gambling Losses per Person in USD |
|---|---|
| Australia | $1,079 |
| Hong Kong | $847 |
| Singapore | $779 |
| Ireland | $589 |
| United States | $534 |
| Italy | $447 |
| Bermuda | $426 |
| Norway | $397 |
| New Zealand | $385 |
| Iceland | $367 |
Global Poker Stats
Online poker grew slowly after its debut in the late 1990s but experienced explosive growth between 2003 and 2010, reaching a peak of $4.9 billion in 2009 before declining under tighter regulation and reduced liquidity.
The market stayed relatively flat through the 2010s, but by 2024 global online-poker revenue was estimated at $3.86 billion, supported by 100–120 million players worldwide. Analysts now expect a steady recovery, with the market projected to reach about $6.9 billion by 2030.
COVID-19 was a Major Driving Force Behind Online Gambling
Online gambling was already growing before COVID-19, but research shows it rose sharply during the pandemic due to lockdowns, the closure of land-based venues, and more time spent at home.
Studies reported increases in new online accounts, higher play frequency, and a clear shift from offline to online gambling. In Ontario, for example, online gambling participation rose by 5.6% after the pandemic, and the UK Gambling Commission recorded similar spikes in online engagement during lockdowns.
After restrictions were lifted, online gambling sites usage did not return to pre-COVID levels. Instead, it remained elevated and continued to grow. Although some gambling activity briefly stabilized as in-person betting resumed, long-term data show that many players maintained the online habits they adopted during the pandemic, solidifying online gambling’s expanded market share.
Gambling Revenue by Country
In this section, we review gambling revenue by country across several major gambling nations, including the USA, Canada, China, Australia, and the UK.
We examine their 2024 revenue figures, historical trends, future projections, regulatory frameworks, and the most popular forms of gambling in each market.
USA
The United States generates the highest gambling revenue in the world. Although gambling laws can be strict and vary by state, only two states, Utah and Hawaii, have no commercial, tribal, or riverboat casinos.
Additionally, seven states currently permit legal online casinos, while sports betting is legal in 39 states plus Washington, D.C., following the Supreme Court’s 2018 repeal of PASPA, which allowed each state to regulate sports wagering independently.
Casinos remain the largest source of gambling revenue in the U.S. In 2024, traditional casino gaming generated $49.89 billion. However, sports betting has become the fastest-growing segment, with revenue surging from $7.56 billion in 2022 to $13.71 billion in 2024, making it the primary driver of recent industry growth. Football is the dominant betting sport, with 51% of sports bettors placing at least one football wager within the past 12 months.
U.S. gambling revenue reached $71.92 billion in 2024, up 7.5% from 2023. However, the market is likely much larger. The AGA estimates Americans wager over $673 billion a year at offshore casinos, representing roughly $53 billion in potential revenue.
Adding tribal casino revenue raises total legal U.S. gambling revenue to about $115 billion, and when combined with offshore estimates, the overall gambling economy could exceed $187 billion in 2024.
- Q1 2024 (Jan–Mar): $17.67 billion
- Q2 2024 (Apr–Jun): $17.68 billion
- Q3 2024 (Jul–Sep): $17.49 billion
China (Macau)
Almost all forms of gambling are illegal in mainland China, but in Macau, a special administrative region, gambling is legal, regulated, and central to the local economy. The region has over 30 active casinos and is internationally known as a major gambling hub, often referred to as “the Las Vegas of Asia.”
Casino games, especially baccarat, dominate Macau’s gaming market, accounting for the vast majority of revenue. While some forms of sports betting are legal, they represent only a small share of total gambling activity.
Casinos are regulated by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), which oversees licensing, compliance, and operational standards. Sports betting is also controlled by the DICJ and is operated exclusively by Macau SLOT, which holds a concession granted by the government.
Gambling plays a crucial role in Macau’s economy, contributing around 40% of the region’s GDP, and this figure excludes the substantial additional revenue generated by hotels, restaurants, and retail spending from gaming tourists. In 2024, Macau reported approximately 226,782 MOP (US$28.34 billion) in gambling revenue, representing a 23.9% year-over-year increase from 2023. The full quarterly breakdown is shown below.
- Q1 2024 (Jan–Mar): ~62 billion MOP (7.8 billion USD)
- Q2 2024 (Apr–Jun): ~62 billion MOP (7.8 billion USD)
- Q3 2024 (Jul–Sep): ~64 billion MOP (8.0 billion USD)
- Q4 2024 (Oct–Dec): ~56 billion MOP (7.0 billion USD)
- Online casinos & digital gaming: USD $3.33–3.70B (CAD $4.5–5.0B)
- Sports betting (online & retail): USD $1.48B (CAD $2.0B)
- Land-based casinos: USD $4.81–5.18B (CAD $6.5–7.0B)
- Lotteries: USD $2.96B (CAD $4.0B)
- Charitable gaming & VLTs: USD $1.11B (CAD $1.5B)
United Kingdom
Unlike many countries with restrictive gambling laws, the United Kingdom operates one of the world’s most open and tightly regulated gambling markets. Gambling is fully legal and widely accessible, encompassing high-street bookmakers, land-based casinos, online betting, bingo, and digital gaming platforms, all of which are overseen by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
Sports betting, especially online, remains one of the UK’s most popular gambling activities after the lottery, with around 9% of adults placing sports wagers. Online casinos, slots, and bingo also account for a large share of the market, while land-based casinos contribute a comparatively smaller portion of total gambling revenue.
Gambling plays a significant economic role, generating billions of pounds in annual tax revenue and supporting tens of thousands of jobs. In the 2023–2024 financial year, the UK gambling sector produced approximately £15.1 billion in Gross Gambling Revenue (GGR).
Below is an overview of how this revenue is distributed across different gambling sectors:
- Online gambling (casino & Bingo): £6.5 billion
- Online sports betting: £3.0 billion
- Land-based casinos: £1.0 billion
- Betting shops: £2.0 billion
Australia
Australia has one of the highest gambling participation rates in the world and operates a fully legal, highly regulated gambling market. Gambling is permitted across all states and territories, with regulation shared between federal bodies and state-level authorities such as Liquor & Gaming NSW, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, and similar regulators nationwide.
Australians have access to casinos, sports betting, lotteries, poker machines (“pokies”), keno, and online sports wagering; however, online casino games are largely prohibited,
Sports betting and lotteries are among the most popular forms of gambling in Australia, but slot machines, known locally as pokies, dominate the market.
Pokies are widely available not only in casinos but also in pubs and clubs, and although Australia makes up just 0.33% of the world’s population, the country has almost 20% of all pokies globally.
In the most recent reporting period, Australia’s total gambling revenue exceeded AUD $25 billion (approximately $16.5 billion USD), making it one of the world’s largest gambling markets on a per-capita basis.
Below is an overview of how gambling expenditure is distributed across key sectors in Australia:
- Pokies (pubs, clubs & casinos): AUD $14–15 billion
- Lotteries & Keno: AUD $3–4 billion
- Sports betting & racing (online & retail): AUD $4–5 billion
- Casino table games: AUD $2 billion
Gambling Age & Gender Stats
When examining statistics on gambling by gender, men are consistently more likely to gamble than women. One global study found that 49.1% of men had gambled within the past year compared to 37.4% of women. Men are also far more active online: 20.4% of men reported gambling online versus 11.2% of women, indicating a clear gender gap in digital gambling participation.
The table below highlights some differences in gambling habits, both online and offline, for genders. Note that the data used are averages from various studies, predominantly from the US.
| Category | Men (%) | Women (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall gambling participation | 45–55% | 35–45% |
| Sports betting | 18–25% | 5–10% |
| Casino gambling | 30–40% | 20–30% |
| Poker (online + live) | 85–90% of players | 10–15% of players |
| Online gambling | 20-30% | 10-20% |
Age also plays a significant role in gambling behaviour. A U.S. study reported that 73% of adults aged 18–24 had gambled in the previous year, whereas only 23% of adults aged 65 and older had done so.
However, this trend is not universal. In the UK, the 16–24 age group had the lowest gambling participation rate at 32.2%, whereas adults aged 45–54 recorded the highest rate at 54%.
This contrast highlights how gambling behaviour varies significantly between countries and demographic groups. It is also difficult to collect consistent global data on age-related gambling patterns, as studies from different regions often use different age brackets, survey methods, and definitions of gambling participation.
These inconsistencies make direct comparisons challenging and can lead to misleading conclusions unless the underlying data is carefully standardised.
Problem Gambling Statistics
Problem gambling remains a serious issue in the USA and worldwide, and many experts worry that the continued rise in gambling activity will inevitably increase the rate of gambling-related harm.
According to a recent National Council on Problem Gambling survey, more than 20 million U.S. adults reported problematic gambling behaviours. This is lower than 2021 but significantly higher than the rate in 2018. Men are at the highest risk, with around 10% reporting gambling problems, more than double the rate among women. Younger men are especially vulnerable: 15% of males aged 18–34 reported concerning gambling behaviour, compared with only 2% of adults aged 55+.
Of course, gambling harm is not limited to the United States. On a per-capita basis, Australia has the highest rate of problem gambling globally and also spends the most money on gambling. In terms of the total number of affected individuals, China leads with an estimated 35–60 million people experiencing some form of gambling addiction. However, this represents just 2.5%–4% of its population.
Sweepstakes Casino Statistics
Sweepstakes casinos first appeared in the 2010s, but their popularity has surged in recent years. These platforms allow players to enjoy real casino-style games even in states where online gambling is illegal, because players don’t wager real money directly.
Instead, they use virtual currencies, some of which can later be redeemed for cash prizes, enabling the model to operate legally under sweepstakes laws and making sweepstakes online casino revenue one of the fastest-growing segments in the U.S. gaming market.
Today, sweepstakes casinos operate in over 40 U.S. states, with nearly 200 platforms available nationwide. Their growth has been extraordinary, with a 60–70% CAGR between 2020 and 2024.
Current estimates suggest sweepstakes online casino revenue will surpass $4 billion by the end of 2025, slightly below early projections. However, experts anticipate the first decline in 2026 as more states move to close the legal loopholes that allow these casinos to operate.
Global Online Market Size & Trends
When we look at online gambling statistics for 2025, we see that around 20% of all adults have gambled online, which is just shy of 900 million. Online gambling revenue has shown a steady year-on-year growth throughout the 21st century, with a noticeable surge from around 2015 onward.
This rise is driven by wider smartphone access, faster and safer payment methods, increased regulation, and even the COVID-19 boost. Regardless of the mix of factors, the upward trend is evident. Below, we break down how the market is expanding and the key developments shaping the sector.
- In 2025, the global online gambling market is estimated to be around $103 billion and is expected to reach over $169 billion by 2030.
- Since 2015, the global online betting market has experienced an average compound annual growth rate of around 9.4%.
- The most significant year-on-year jump occurred between 2020 and 2021, when the market grew from $65.02 billion to $80 billion, a surge of 23.1%
Online Gambling Market Size by Country
The online gaming market continues to expand rapidly, and all major projections indicate that its growth will accelerate in the coming years. However, the rate of online gambling adoption — and the share it represents within each country’s overall gambling market- varies significantly across regions.
In the United States, an estimated 25% of adults gamble online daily, and the country generates the largest total gambling revenue globally, exceeding $21 billion in 2024. Despite this huge market size, online gambling accounts for only around 30% of total U.S. gambling revenue.
Across some European countries, online gambling often represents a much larger share of national gambling markets. In the United Kingdom, online channels account for approximately 56% of gross gambling revenue, while in Sweden, the share is even higher, at around 68%.
Conversely, Australia, despite being one of the highest per-capita gambling nations in the world, derives only about 25% of its gambling revenue from online sources.
| Country | Total Gambling Revenue | Online Gambling Revenue | % share of online gambling revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | US $71.92 billion | US $21.58 billion | 30% |
| United Kingdom | US $23.1 billion | $12.9 billion | 56% |
| Italy | US $24.5 billion | US $5.4 billion | 21.7% |
| Germany | US $16.8 billion | US $3.8 billion | 22.6% |
| France | US $16.3 billion | US $4.4 billion | 27% |
| Sweden | US $2.62 billion | US $1.68 billion | 68% |
| Australia | US $16.5 billion | US $4.3 billion | 25% |
| Canada | US $12.4 billion | US $3.8 billion | 31% |
| Spain | US $10.0 billion | US $2.7 billion | 27% |
| Japan | US $15.8 billion | US $1.2 billion | 7.6% |
Conclusion
These casino statistics offer a clear view of how the gambling industry is evolving, revealing both global growth and interesting differences in regional gambling habits. One of the most notable trends is the sharp rise in online gambling during the COVID-19 pandemic, a shift that remained strong even after land-based venues reopened.
Although usage dipped slightly post-pandemic, online gambling continues to expand, supported by better technology, changing player expectations, and the constant emergence of new online casinos. This ongoing innovation is a key reason why gambling, and particularly online gambling, continues to grow in both participation and revenue worldwide.
