The global online gambling industry is projected to reach $117.5 billion by the end of 2025, thanks to improved smartphone usage, legalization, and vibrant digital platforms. Europe currently holds the largest market share of the gambling industry, while the US is experiencing significant growth.

This guide is prepared in collaboration with Polskie Sloty – the biggest base of online casinos. The editor-in-chief, Leon Górski, presents relevant statistics on the growth of gambling activities and insights into the reasons behind such growth in the US, Poland, and other European countries.

Massive Wins for the Global Gambling Industry via Europe and the US

The global gambling market is projected to reach $117.5 billion at a 12.3% annual growth rate (CAGR), and is expected to reach $186.58 billion by 2029. However, this immense global growth is led by Europe’s vibrant gambling market, which holds a 49.1% market share in the space

Meanwhile, the US government is increasingly embracing online gambling, a situation that is projected to generate almost $40 billion in revenue by 2029. As of this report, 7 US states have legalized online casinos, while 30 states have legalized online sports betting.

American gamblers mostly favor sports betting over casino online slots and poker, with 10% of US adults participating in some form of sports betting activity in 2024. In Europe, Italy ($5.01 billion), the United Kingdom ($12.1 billion), and France ($4.1 billion) generate the largest gambling revenue from online gaming platforms. Meanwhile, improved regulations and governmental adoption are seeing significant gambling markets emerge in countries like Poland ($2.4 billion).

The Growth of Online Gambling by Region

North America’s online gambling adoption leads the rest of the world, as 1 in 3 adults reportedly gamble online. Western Europe comes closely behind, with nearly one in four adults engaging in online gambling. East & Southeast Asia, which have the most significant number of gamblers globally, have only 9.2% involved in online gambling, which shows a preference for offline or unsupervised platforms.

In Poland, approximately 20 million Poles actively gamble in both real money and non-real money gambling. However, thanks to legal “grey zones,” illegal online games and betting operators account for about 50% of the market share. The latest Leon Górski’s gambling market analytics provides detailed insights into how regulations shape the market, offering a deeper understanding of these trends.

Major Game Types Available to Gamblers in Europe and the US

The growth of online gaming has been noticeable in specific game categories. Here is a list of online gambling categories played by the increasing population of gamblers in the US, Poland, and other EU countries.

1. Casino Games: Slots are one of the most popular titles at online casinos. Thanks to the infusion of modern technologies like VR, AI, and Blockchain gaming technology, slots are reaching even more gamblers globally. 
2. Table Games: Table games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps are particularly common among gamblers in the region. They often require a little more skill and experience, which makes them more adventurous.
3. Live Dealer Games: These allow players to explore live interaction with other players around the world over their favorite titles. Some franchises in the EU and the US also offer branded slots from famous outlets.
4. Poker: Two of the most famous poker games in the US, Poland, and other parts of Europe are Texas Hold’em and Omaha. The growing population of gamblers also has video poker and live dealer titles to explore.
5. Sports Betting: There’s no addressing the growth of gambling in the US, Poland, and other EU countries without alluding to the sportsbook. Common sports betting events include football (soccer), basketball, horse racing, and esports betting. Polish players reportedly particularly favor esports titles like League of Legends and Counter-Strike, while over 30 US states (and counting) allow players to legally gamble on sporting events.
6. Social and Mobile Casino Games: Beyond the allure of winning big, social casino games are inspiring more partnerships between gamblers globally. More individuals are drawn to social and mobile casino games, especially in relation to slots and mobile blackjack titles at sweepstakes platforms.
7. Bingo and Lottery: Gamblers in Poland, the US, and other European countries also favor state lotteries and online bingo games. Moreover, the infusion of Blockchain technology into the casino niche to ensure fairness and transparency looks poised to attract even more gamblers to the niche in the future.

Demography of Gamblers

The demography of gamblers in the US, Poland, and other EU countries is rapidly evolving. Here’s what the stats show on the demographics of gamblers in this region.

53% of Polish gamblers are men. However, the gender gap is rapidly growing, especially in mobile and social gambling, where women are now slightly ahead (with 52% of social game players). Approximately 69% of American men gamble compared to 36% of US women.

However, markets like Sweden have seen a significant increase in the number of women gamblers. According to a report from the National Institute of Health, the number of women addicted to gambling outnumber men in the same condition. Meanwhile, woomen make up 32% of registered gamers in the country.

Console gambling is highest among Polish players aged 15-44, while 6% of players aged 55-65 years used consoles. However, phone gambling is dominant across every category, thanks to increasing global smartphone penetration.

Younger players across the regions prefer social and immersive titles like live dealer games and esports activities. However, older players favor card games, lotteries, and logic-based mobile titles.

Conclusion

With a diverse and growing pool of players, rapid technological adoption, and a changing regulatory ambiance, Poland is undoubtedly one of Europe’s leading iGaming markets. Meanwhile, growing regulatory adoption in the US is improving gambling revenue, while the EU remains the world’s leader in the iGaming sector.

Considering these factors and a fast-growing technological global climate, gamblers can expect even more growth across the EU and the US. However, as it stands, it’s clear that only casinos that latch onto technology and embrace social gambling have a higher chance of winning a larger part of the market share in the future.