Global Gambling Market 2025: Record Growth, Digital Expansion and Early Predictions for 2026

The global gambling industry closed 2025 with one of its strongest performances on record. Online platforms, mobile technology and the rapid rise of digital entertainment pushed annual revenues higher as more countries embraced remote gaming and a broader audience turned to betting as mainstream leisure.

Digital growth becomes the center of the industry

Online gambling continued its shift from a secondary market to the core of industry revenue. Mobile apps accounted for a growing share of activity, generating about 58 percent of online gambling revenue in Europe in 2024, and showing steady year‑on‑year growth. Operators refined user interfaces, broadened payment options and created more integrated gaming environments that combine live betting, casino games and esports under a single account, with mobile-first experiences now driving the majority of user engagement.

Casinos and betting firms in North America, Europe and Asia reported that younger audiences increasingly preferred digital platforms over traditional venues. Instant payout features, live dealer formats and real time statistical tools helped tip the balance in favor of mobile play. Industry observers described 2025 as the year mobile betting finally overtook desktop usage and became the dominant format.

Regional markets that defined 2025

Asia saw the sharpest growth, driven by markets where mobile adoption is nearly universal. Several small and mid sized markets surprised analysts with rapid adoption once reliable mobile payments and better data coverage arrived.

Mongolia has also emerged this year, despite tough regulations, wider access to smartphones and the spread of local mobile payment options created fertile ground for digital operators. Offshore platforms that added Mongolian language support and local payment rails found users quickly. Esports streams and influencer driven content accelerated interest among young people, and the market saw fast growth in both casual bets and more structured fantasy and tournament products. Operators also focused on account security and customer onboarding. The leading platforms invested in encryption and verification, and they emphasized safe sign in practices. Many users now hear guidance about protecting their accounts and about using the official 1xBet Mongolia login as the first step in securing access to their profiles. That emphasis on secure access points became a recurring theme in local conversations about digital safety and consumer protection.

Europe remained the most stable source of revenue, with steady gains supported by established online operators and renewed interest in live sporting events. Latin America continued to expand rapidly as payment accessibility improved and local enthusiasm for sports betting grew. North America consolidated gains in online casino revenue as more operators optimized mobile experiences and linked them to broader loyalty ecosystems.

Esports and interactive betting reshape user behavior

Esports betting had another strong year. Younger audiences gravitated toward live prediction formats tied to streams and influencer content. Real time micro bets and in play markets kept audiences engaged in new ways. Traditional sports betting also evolved. Short event wagers and rapid play markets became mainstream products across major platforms and generated a large share of mobile traffic during major sporting events.

Land based casinos tap into hybrid models

Physical casinos experienced a solid recovery as tourism improved in many regions. Many venues introduced hybrid programs that allowed visitors to continue betting on their phones after leaving the casino floor. Loyalty programs that linked in person play with online accounts helped operators boost retention and lifetime value. Hospitality spending rose alongside gaming revenue, and several resort operators reported stronger occupancy and higher per guest spend than in previous years.

Financial performance continues to strengthen

Total global gambling revenue climbed in 2025, driven by rapid user growth in digital markets and steady performance in established regions. The shift to mobile reduced certain operating costs for operators and allowed smaller companies to reach audiences previously out of reach. Active online account numbers rose to new highs and average spending per user increased as platforms added more live content and richer interactive products.

Predictions for 2026

Early forecasts for 2026 point to continued expansion driven by three clear trends. First, Asia and Latin America should see the strongest user growth as mobile betting becomes more affordable and widespread. Second, operators will invest more in artificial intelligence to personalize recommendations and to improve risk monitoring. Third, hybrid casino models that link in person and online experiences will become more common as venues look to maintain relevance and boost revenue.

Esports-related betting is expected to expand further as competitive gaming events continue to attract larger global audiences. Emerging markets that demonstrated rapid adoption in 2025, particularly in Latin America and parts of Southeast Asia, will remain key markets to watch as mobile payment systems improve and locally tailored content grows.

The outlook

The global gambling industry enters 2026 with momentum and a user base larger than any previous year. Technology continues to lower barriers and to expand the kinds of experiences platforms can offer. For operators the opportunity is to convert access into sustained engagement. For markets the opportunity is to balance fast growth with consumer safety and stable financial flows. The next twelve months will test whether innovation can be paired with durable business models and whether new audiences will stick with the hobby long term.