The global gambling market is projected to reach $910.92 billion by 2035, according to a sweeping new industry report published by ResearchAndMarkets.com.
The market already stood at approximately $576.72 billion in 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 14.1% since 2020, demonstrating the sector’s remarkable expansion over the past five years.
Growth through 2030 is expected to moderate, with the market forecast to reach $728.19 billion at a CAGR of 4.8%, before continuing to climb at approximately 4.6% annually through 2035.
Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) and Entain (ENT.L) are among the prominent companies profiled in the report alongside private operator bet365, reflecting the industry’s mix of listed and privately held powerhouses.
Historic growth was driven by rising sports viewership, higher betting participation, an expanding calendar of international sporting events, sustained lottery demand and growing social acceptance of gambling activities worldwide.
Looking ahead, operators are expected to benefit from younger adult and millennial participation, broader betting format selection and rising consumer entertainment spending across both developed and emerging economies.
Key technological trends reshaping the industry include artificial intelligence adoption, big data analytics, blockchain integration, fintech payment solutions and regulatory technology frameworks that help operators navigate complex licensing environments.
Augmented reality, virtual reality and extended reality platforms are also creating new opportunities for more immersive casino, lottery and sports betting experiences that appeal to digitally native consumers.
Lotteries were the largest gambling segment in 2025, accounting for 59.1% of the global market at approximately $341.13 billion, while sports betting is forecast to be the fastest-growing segment through 2030 at a CAGR of 6.9%.
Offline gambling remained dominant in 2025 at $412.86 billion, or 71.6% of total market value, but online gambling is projected to grow fastest through 2030, achieving a CAGR of 6.8% supported by mobile platforms and digital payment adoption.
High-value players and VIP gamblers represented the largest end-user segment in 2025 at 42.8% of the market, approximately $246.7 billion, and are forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% through 2030 as operators invest in premium loyalty programs.
Asia-Pacific led all regions in 2025 with 34.2% of global gambling revenue at approximately $197.51 billion, while the Middle East and Asia-Pacific are both projected to be the fastest-growing regions through 2030.
The Middle East is forecast to expand at a CAGR of 6.8%, with Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe each projected to grow at 6.1%, and Africa expected to record a CAGR of 5.1% over the same forecast period.
Regulatory costs, advertising restrictions, gambling addiction concerns and economic uncertainty tied to global trade disputes remain the primary barriers operators must navigate throughout this projected growth cycle.
