The Online Gambling Market size is expected to grow from USD 60.63 billion in 2023 to USD 103.74 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 11.34% over the next five years.
Nowadays, a large portion of the global population has access to the Internet. The number of internet users worldwide was 5,300 million in 2022, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This represents one of the primary factors behind the immense popularity of online gambling services worldwide. The increased penetration of smartphones further leads to an increase in several mobile application-based lottery games as they provide end-users the convenience and comfort of gambling within their own space. Casino gambling has been one of the rapidly growing gambling categories, owing to the convenience of usage and optimal user experience. To meet different player interests, online gambling platforms provide various games, such as slots, poker, and sports betting. Sports betting is popular in the Asia-Pacific region. For instance, the total betting turnover of the Japan Racing Association (JRA) from horse racing was JPY 3.25 trillion, according to the Japan Association for International Racing. Moreover, there has been a rise in the popularity of draw-based and scratch-off instant games, especially across European countries, which positively impact the growth of the market studied. Online gambling's gross win in Europe was EUR 29.3 billion in 2022, according to the European Gaming & Betting Association. With the advent of virtual reality and blockchain, various companies are focusing on advancing innovative platforms to cater to the requirements and needs of customers to achieve a competitive edge in the market. For instance, in 2021, Entain PLC declared the launch of Gambling Responsibly America in the United States, a dedicated gaming app. This app has a tool to assist and support consumers. It also has educational resources to help consumers with gambling issues. The factors mentioned above are expected to benefit the market positively.
The increased penetration of mobile phones and the Internet and convenient online payment gateways have made online gambling services easily accessible. Moreover, online betting is predominantly rising in the online sports category, especially in football events like the FIFA World Cup and the European championships. Many online sports betting companies are sponsoring different teams as a part of their marketing strategy and acquiring or merging with several companies for strategic expansions. For instance, in September 2022, BC.GAME signed a sponsorship agreement with the Argentine Football Association. The Argentine team had the support of BC.GAME during the FIFA World Cup matches in Qatar. Operators of online casinos also sponsor films, television programs, or streaming content to promote their brands and attract viewers. Major athletic events, such as football championships and horse racing contests, are ideal platforms for online gambling businesses to advertise and attract sports bettors. For instance, in December 2022, leading global online betting and gaming brand Betway signed a multi-year title sponsorship with SA20, a Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament in South Africa.
The current legislative framework for online betting in the United States allows only bookmakers licensed in Nevada, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to operate legally, as these are the three states where online betting is regulated. Pennsylvania is the fourth and biggest state to legalize and regulate online gambling. New Jersey has various types of online casinos, sportsbooks, and sports betting apps. New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement oversees and holds New Jersey's online gaming sites. It handles site licensing, tax revenue collection, and game testing and approval. New Jersey is currently the largest market for regulated online gambling in the United States. Canada is an unregulated country in terms of online gaming. At the same time, Mexico is reviewing its gambling laws, intending to regulate the online gambling sector to align with the rest of the region's gambling industry. Therefore, the increasing regularization of online gambling in North American countries and their respective states is expected to drive the market further.
Technology advancements, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), are incorporated into online gaming experiences to increase player engagement. Mobile gambling has increased dramatically due to the widespread use of smartphones and tablets, which enable bets to be placed at any time and almost anywhere. For instance, the number of mobile phone users in Mexico was 93.08 million in 2022, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography.
The online gambling market is highly fragmented and comprises regional and global players. Key players dominate the market, such as Bet365, Entain PLC, Betsson AB, Flutter Entertainment PLC, and Kindred Group PLC. Major players are focusing on mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and product innovations to expand their presence in the market. They also compete on various factors, including offerings, quality of gambling content, user experience, brand equity, personalized payoffs, and access to multiple platforms. Apart from this, advanced distribution networks and manufacturing expertise give an upper edge to players to expand their range of products worldwide.
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