When we dive into the world of gambling, statistics serve as the backbone of our understanding. They can be an indication of chance for some, while for others, they symbolize a business opportunity. For the betting community, these figures help in assessing everything from roulette game probabilities to the odds tied to sports events. They also grant us a broader perspective on the cultural significance of gambling for millions around the globe.
Through a plethora of survey results, astonishing facts, and compelling figures, we have organized the data into digestible segments. These range from the financial influence of the gaming industry to the behaviors of players, ensuring you receive meaningful insights into the rapidly expanding gambling landscape.
Gambling Around the Globe: An In-Depth Analysis
Approximately 26% of the global population participates in some form of gambling, amounting to about 1.6 billion bettors worldwide. The highest concentrations of gamblers are found in countries like the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Malta.
China topped the charts in 2021 with a staggering gambling revenue of $46.01 billion, while the United States followed closely with $40.54 billion. Europe collectively generated €87.2 billion, with brick-and-mortar casinos earning €50.8 billion and online platforms contributing €36.4 billion.
Australia’s affinity for slot machines is well-documented. Reports from Goodluckmate reveal that New South Wales boasts the nation’s largest gaming sector, valued at AU$96.56 billion.
Malta stands out as a fascinating gambling hub. Despite its small population, this Mediterranean island reports some of the highest per capita gambling losses in the world. Malta hosts many of the largest online gaming operators and licensees, and its legislation fosters both physical and digital gambling, enticing companies to establish their headquarters there for tax benefits.
Online Betting Statistics
Like many aspects of modern life, gambling has increasingly shifted to online platforms over the last twenty years. According to iGB, sports betting has outpaced casino games in Europe, capturing a market share of 42.5%. Following closely are lotteries at 12.6%, with poker and bingo trailing behind at 5% and 4.3%, respectively.
In France, online sports betting generated €691 million in 2018. Mobile gambling accounts for over 20% of all bets placed in the industry.
Despite the meteoric rise of online gaming, traditional casinos still command a significant quarter of the global market. In the United States, revenues from the casino gaming sector are approaching an impressive $80 billion.
Top Gambling Hotspots Globally
Let’s examine some key statistics about the six leading gambling hotspots and their respective revenue figures.
USA
Gambling is permitted in some form across 48 states in the U.S., with Utah and Hawaii as the exceptions. Las Vegas remains one of the fastest-growing cities regarding its gambling scene, with casinos in Nevada reporting a total revenue of $13.4 billion in 2021.
Card games, lotteries, and a variety of online casino games rank among the most favored gambling options in the U.S., raking in an impressive US$240 billion in revenue.
The 2018 relaxation of sports betting restrictions paved the way for greater participation among U.S. bettors. A poll conducted in March 2020 discovered that 13% of over 2,100 U.S. participants had ventured into betting on sports events.
UK
The UK Gambling Commission has overseen the regulation of gambling in the UK since 2005. Popular gambling activities include slot machines, football betting, horse racing, and national lotteries. The majority of online gamblers in the UK fall within the 35 to 44 age bracket.
Between October 2018 and September 2019, the UK gambling sector generated £14.3 billion, which is divided into several segments:
- Online sports betting – £2.1 billion
- Slots – £3.2 billion
- Regular betting – £2.8 billion
- National lotteries – £3.18 billion
- Land-based betting – £2.8 billion
- Bingos – £668 million
China
In China, gambling is a contentious issue. While state-sponsored lotteries cater to a vast population exceeding 1 billion, all forms of online gambling are strictly prohibited.
Macao stands as a pivotal global gambling destination. This Special Administrative Region of China boasts more than 42 casinos and represents the only locale in China where gambling activities are entirely legal.
In 2021, the Chinese esports gambling market saw revenues jump to 140 billion yuan, which was a 2.65% increase from the previous year's figures.
In that same year, popular games like baccarat, slots, roulette, mahjong, and football betting contributed over US$10.3 billion to the city's gross revenue.
Canada
While each Canadian province has unique gaming regulations, Canadians enjoy relatively unrestricted access to online gambling. With over 75% participating in various gambling activities, Saskatchewan emerges as the province with the highest player involvement, averaging $841 per adult.
It’s estimated that the Canadian gambling industry generated CAD 13.5 billion in revenue in 2017. In Ontario, lotteries dominate the market, with lottery sales exceeding CAD 4,000 billion. Notable forms of gambling also include scratch cards, slots, and esports.
Australia
Gambling is a well-accepted recreational activity in Australia. The most popular gaming formats include pokies (slots), sports betting, and lotteries. Reports indicate that Australians who gamble are typically aged between 30 and 49.
There's still a noticeable gender gap in gambling participation. In 2011, women constituted just 7.2% of gamblers; today, they make up a significant 45.8%, indicating a shift towards gender parity as they approach the 51% mark of male participants.
Statistics show that nearly 80% of Australians gamble on occasion, contributing to 10% of the country’s overall income across various gambling formats such as:
- Non-remote gambling – AUD$12.52 billion
- Casino games – AUD$5.10 billion
- Race betting – AUD$3.54 billion
- Sports betting – AUD$1.23 billion
Singapore
Singapore saw its inaugural casino open in 2010, transforming the region into a major gambling destination within Southeast Asia. The decision to introduce casinos raised concerns among locals about potential addiction and financial problems.
To deter residents from gambling, the government imposes an entry fee of $81 for locals wishing to visit casinos. Families can also invoke Family Exclusion Orders, preventing members from entering these venues. Nevertheless, these strategies have had limited success in curbing the gambling culture of the nation.
Fascinating Gambling Facts from Across the Globe
A vast number of people enjoy testing their luck; some become enamored with the thrill, while others engage in it simply for relaxation. Curious about some intriguing gambling facts from around the world?
Here are several statistics that are sure to astonish you.
- An astonishing 1,560,000,000 individuals globally participate in gambling activities.
- Men bet twice as often as women.
- Nearly 85% of Americans have placed a bet at some point in their lives.
- The global online betting market is valued at an impressive $450 billion.
- In 2003, Las Vegas’ Excalibur Hotel-Casino offered the largest jackpot in history for a slot machine, amounting to $39,713,982.25.
- Gambling revenues represent half of Macao's total income.
- Every year, Australians invest $18 billion in online gambling.
- Nevada boasts more than 5,510 casino games, establishing it as a crucial market for gambling enthusiasts in the U.S.
Gender-Related Gambling Patterns
Gender greatly influences gambling behaviors, with distinct patterns emerging between men and women. Men often gamble more frequently and wager larger amounts, while women tend to focus on leisure and prefer to bet smaller sums.
Let’s take a look at gender-segmented gambling statistics that highlight key differences.
- In June 2021, 43.5% of males in the UK participated in at least one form of gambling.
- Conversely, 39.8% of women in the UK engaged in gambling at least once during the same month.
- Since June 2017, both male and female gambling participation rates have declined, likely due to heightened awareness of addiction issues.
- Compared to women, men seem more susceptible to gambling disorders.
- In New Jersey, around 67% of women and 73% of men reported having gambled in the past year.
The Surge in Popularity of Online Casinos Amid COVID-19
While COVID-19 reshaped many aspects of daily life, the online gambling sector thrived during this period. The pandemic introduced uncertainty and stress, prompting many to seek entertainment through online gambling platforms.
October 2021 marked a peak in global betting activity, with approximately 6,120,476,686 bets placed on slot machines, 275,480,062 on live events, 80,664,453 on poker games, and 335,585,894 on various other casino games.
December 2021 witnessed the highest gross gambling yield, totaling £200,186,689 from slots alone, alongside £141,985,160 from live event betting. Additionally, virtual betting garnered an impressive £6,125,645 GGY, with £62,707,725 originating from traditional casino games.
The Less Glamorous Side of Gambling: Facts and Figures
While many envision the captivating allure of Las Vegas, gambling has its shadows as well. As opportunities for gambling have surged, so too have its associated problems. Alarming addiction statistics indicate that the issue impacts a broad spectrum of society.
The demographic most affected by gambling addiction tends to be young adults aged 20 to 30. Recent research from George State University indicates that 50% of individuals grappling with addiction may resort to criminal activities to sustain their habits.
In the U.S., approximately 3% to 5% of the population struggles with gambling issues. Additionally, those grappling with PTSD display elevated rates of gambling problems, with 34% of individuals seeking treatment for gambling issues also exhibiting symptoms of PTSD.
Famous Online Casino Games
In contrast to the downturn in skill games and poker betting, both sports betting and casino gambling have witnessed growth since 2007, while lottery participation has also risen, albeit at a slower pace.
Slot machines dominate the casino scene in the U.S., UK, and Australia. For American casino-goers, blackjack follows slots as the second most popular game, with poker coming in close behind.
Slots
The popularity of branded slots is on the rise, as players with a strong attachment to certain franchises are more inclined to try slots themed around their favorite characters. The most played branded slot games include those themed after Jurassic Park, Westworld, Batman, and Game of Thrones.
Conversely, progressive jackpots have yielded incredible payouts, with winners raking in amounts ranging from $5 million to $7 million.
Lottery
Lotteries are permitted in many countries, including those that outlaw traditional gambling and casino activities. In 2010, nearly 49% of the American population reported participating in lottery games. According to Gambling ‘N Go, lotteries represent around 6% of the gaming audience.
Since that time, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has predicted a notable rise in the share of online gambling. Between 2013 and 2016, lotteries saw their share increase from 2.3% to 4%. Furthermore, the payouts from lotteries surged by 22% in the UK from 2012 to 2015, climbing from £3.38 billion to £4.13 billion.
Sports Betting
As noted by Gambling 'N Go, sports betting tops the popularity charts among various forms of gambling. Bettors can place wagers on individual players, teams, specific goals, or even potential runs in a game. A significant number of individuals participate in online sports betting, especially amidst college students who often engage in betting on minor sporting events using cryptocurrencies.
Card Games
In the United States, the winners of the World Series of Poker can walk away with winnings ranging from $7 million to $10 million. Some of the largest online tournaments attract enough participants to guarantee a grand prize of $1 million. In Nevada, poker players have the potential to rake in profits up to a staggering $143 million. Conversely, Australia is widely recognized for its vibrant poker scene and a strong community of players.
Bright Future of Gambling
The landscape of online gambling is rapidly evolving. With technological advancements occurring globally, more companies are vying for the attention of players, resulting in heightened wagering activity. The future of gambling appears bright on a worldwide scale, with analysts forecasting that revenues, currently estimated at $635 billion, could soar to hit the $1 trillion mark.
Cash revenue in the US is projected to reach $21.14 billion, whereas online gambling income in the UK could reach around $4 billion. According to Morgan Stanley's analysis titled 'Macao 2022 – Power of Compounding', the gambling market in Macao could potentially grow to $53 billion by 2022. European nations currently dominate the industry, accounting for a remarkable 57% of the total market share, with expectations of achieving even greater figures.
Data Sources
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/gamble/etc/facts.html
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/countries-that-gamble-the-most.html
https://www.statista.com/topics/4642/gaming-in-china/
https://www.statista.com/topics/5675/casino-industry/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/965488/singapore-gambling-participation-rate/
https://ipgap.indiana.edu/documents/problem-gambling-faq.pdf