Gambling is one of the nation’s favorite pastimes, but it too has had to adapt in the face of the global pandemic. In this overview of the most recent gambling statistics, we’ll examine the current state of the gambling market and see how old-school casinos are faring right now. We’ll also discuss the latest developments in online gambling and sports betting. Finally, we’ll explore gambling addiction and learn more about its scope and severity.
Top 10 Gambling Statistics and Facts
The global gambling industry was valued at $278.43 billion in 2021.
China is the biggest gambling market with $50.18 billion in revenue.
US casinos earned $53.03 billion in 2021.
An average Las Vegas casino earns $603,757 per day.
The online gambling sector was worth $73.42 billion in 2021.
Online gambling in the US was valued at $2.18 billion in 2020.
The budding crypto gambling market may be worth $250 million.
The sports betting market was worth $65.29 billion in 2020.
1% of Americans have a severe gambling problem.
1.4 million Brits are suffering from gambling addiction.
General Gambling Statistics for 2023
The global gambling industry was valued at $287.43 billion in 2021.
Growing at an accelerated pace, the industry is expected to reach $458.93 billion by the end of 2022. This will mark an impressive 59.7% increase year-over-year, the result of recovery after a global pandemic and months of limited commercial activity. According to current projections, the industry will keep growing at an annual rate of 18.4% over the coming years. By the end of 2026, experts predict the global gambling industry will be worth $762.1 billion.
(Research and Markets)
China is the biggest gambling market with $50.18 billion in revenue.
With projected revenue of $47.62 billion in 2022, the US is the second biggest market. The only other market with double-digit revenue is Japan with $22.01 billion. South Korea ranks fourth with $8.48 billion, while Germany is fifth with $6.48 billion. The rest of the top 10 includes the United Kingdom ($5.73 billion), France ($4.27 billion), Canada ($3.64 billion), Italy ($3.12 billion), and Brazil ($2.69 billion).
(Newzoo)
Brazil has the world’s third largest gambling population.
Gambling stats reveal that China has more gamblers than any other country (742.19 million). The US follows in a distant second place with 197.16 million, while Brazil is third with 100.74 million gamblers. Other countries with large gambling populations include Japan (78.1 million), Germany (49.76 million), France (39.34 million), and the United Kingdom (39.1 million).
(Newzoo)
Australia has the highest gambling losses per capita.
The three biggest gambling markets also have the highest annual losses. The United States is at $116.9 million, China at $62.4 million, and Japan at $24.1 million. But facts about gambling point to Australia as the country with the highest losses per capita — about $990 a year. This is the result of decades of gambling deregulation in Australia, which has seen bet size limits eliminated. As such, Australian gamblers can lose $1,150 and sometimes even more per hour.
(The Economist)
Six of the world’s biggest casino companies are based in the US.
The list, based on revenue generated in 2020, includes MGM Resorts ($5.16 billion), Caesars Entertainment ($4.46 billion), Las Vegas Sands ($3.61 billion), Penn National Gaming ($3.58 billion), Boyd Gaming ($2.18 billion), and Wynn Resorts ($2.1 billion). The top 10 also includes Melco Crown Entertainment ($1.73 billion) and Galaxy Entertainment Group ($1.66 billion) from Hong Kong, Australian Crown Resorts ($1.72 billion), and Malaysian Genting ($1.12 billion).
(Statista)
US casinos earned $53.03 billion in 2021.
Looking at the casino revenue breakdown by state, Nevada is in the lead with $13.43 billion. Pennsylvania ranks second with $4.83 billion, and New Jersey is third with $4.74 billion in 2021. Meanwhile, the lowest earners include Oregon ($30.4 million), the District of Columbia ($26.8 million), Montana ($6.41 million), and Wyoming ($4.01 million).
(Statista)
Casinos in Nevada earn a combined total of $1 billion each month.
June 2022 was the 16 consecutive month of casino earnings above the $1-billion threshold in the state of Nevada. During that month, Nevada casinos made $1.28 billion — up 7% from $1.19 billion in June 2021 and an 18.75% increase over June 2019. The main growth drivers were slot games ($380.3 million in revenue) and baccarat ($141.1 million).
(The Nevada Independent)
An average Las Vegas casino revenue is $603,757 per day.
This number is up by 16.1% from $520,112, but it’s still 64.4% down from the average revenue of $1,697,135 in pre-pandemic 2019. The largest portion of the money comes from hotel rooms ($360,544), with casino games as the second most important revenue generator ($225,661). An average casino also makes a profit from food ($8,507), beverages ($1,010), and amenities like golf and spa ($8,035).
(UNLV Center for Gaming Research)
Online Gambling Statistics
The online gambling sector was worth $73.42 billion in 2021.
The online gambling sector reached $81.08 billion in 2022, marking a 10.4% year-over-year growth. The growth will continue at a slightly smaller but steady rate of 9.2% in the coming years. According to the latest projections, the online gambling market size should reach $115.13 billion in 2026. Asia Pacific will remain the largest region for online gambling, with Eastern Europe growing at the fastest pace.
(PR Newswire)
Online gambling in the US was valued at $2.18 billion in 2020.
Due to strict regulations, the US had long lagged behind others in the online gambling sector. However, laxer regulations along with stay-at-home mandates during the global pandemic propelled the industry’s growth. According to projections, the domestic online gambling market should grow by 17.34% each year until 2025, when it will reach $4.85 billion in value.
(Business Wire)
The number of female online gamblers in the UK has doubled since 2015.
Internet gambling statistics reveal that only 11.3% of women had gambled online in 2015. By 2021, however, their share had gone up to 23.1%. The share of male online gamblers in the UK has also increased, though not as drastically. Whereas 17.9% of UK men admitted to gambling online in 2015, 27.7% did the same in 2021.
(Statista)
Most UK online gamblers are aged 45–54.
Statistics about online gambling from a 2021 survey show that 32.8% of Brits aged 45–54 take part in it at least once a month. Online gamblers are also numerous in the 35–44 bracket (28.8%) and the 55–64 age group (28%). Meanwhile, young Brits aged 16–24 are least likely to engage in online gambling, with only 15.8% admitting to having done so.
(Statista)
The budding crypto gambling market may be worth $250 million.
Due to the very nature of cryptocurrencies, it’s impossible to determine exactly how much the crypto gambling market is worth. But bitcoin gambling statistics show that the 70 casinos that allow crypto gambling have pulled in $2.8 billion in 2022’s first quarter. In 2021, they generated $10 billion — up 64% over 2020. However, it’s important to note that all these casinos are located outside of the US and that crypto gambling only accounts for a portion of their revenue.
(Cryptowisser, NBC News)
Sports Betting Statistics
The sports betting market was worth $65.29 billion in 2020.
Over the next eight years, experts predict the market will more than double in size. By 2028, it should reach $139.41 billion, growing by 10.2% per year during this period. The development of the digital structure for sports betting will be one of the key drivers of this increase, as will the growing number of sports leagues. Insiders also believe there will be a surge of interest in sports betting among millennials worldwide.
(Acumen Research and Consulting)
In the US, sports betting generated a revenue of $4.33 billion in 2021.
The actual number far surpassed the original projection of $2.1 billion, sports gambling statistics reveal. This is the direct result of the 2018 lifting of the federal ban on sports betting. Before that happened, sports betting was only legal in Nevada; since then, it has been made legal in 30 additional states nationwide. With more and more states legalizing sports betting, analysts believe the sector will grow at an increased pace, eventually hitting the $10-billion mark in 2028.
(Statista, Bloomberg)
45% of British men take part in sports betting.
Looking at sports betting demographics in the UK, men are almost twice as likely to bet on sports events as women (45% vs. 23%). However, a staggering 94% of the sports betting revenue comes from men, while women are only responsible for the remaining 6%.
(Gambling Insider, The Guardian)
Soccer is the most popular sport among UK bettors.
According to betting statistics, 45% of Brits bet on soccer, the nation’s favorite pastime. Horse racing, the country’s second largest spectator sport, is in second place (37%). Other sports Brits commonly bet on include golf (9%), tennis (8%), boxing (8%), cricket (6%), and Rugby Union (6%). Curiously, betting statistics show that US sports aren’t as popular with UK bettors — 5% say they bet on NFL games, 3% bet on NBA games, and just 2% bet on Major League Baseball.
(YouGov)
Gambling Addiction Statistics
1% of Americans have a severe gambling problem.
While the number might seem small, it translates to about 25.8 million people. To put that into perspective, these gambling addicts could inhabit three cities the size of New York. To make matters worse, recent statistics on gambling addiction show that between 6% and 9% of teenagers and young adults in the US experience problems related to gambling.
(ICRG)
1.4 million Brits are suffering from gambling addiction.
A 2022 study found that an additional 1.5 million are at risk of being harmed by their gambling. However, only 8,490 people received treatment for their addiction in 2021. The results reveal that 2.8% of Brits are at a high risk of developing serious gambling problems, with men disproportionately more at risk than women. In fact, the findings suggest every tenth man in the UK is either already a gambling addict or in danger of becoming one.
(The Guardian)
Heavy drinkers are more likely to develop a gambling problem.
Gambling addiction stats from another UK-based survey point to drinking as one of the major risk factors. Namely, whereas only 35.4% of non-drinkers engage in gambling, 74.4% of the heaviest drinkers admit to gambling at least once a week. Mental health problems are also a factor, as sufferers were 2.4% more likely to be gamblers. And it gets even bleaker — research suggests that people with gambling problems are 19 times more likely to commit suicide.
(GOV.UK)
Gambling addiction is costing the UK economy $1.53 billion a year.
According to gambling addiction facts from a recent landmark study, the problem has much broader societal repercussions. The findings suggest that the UK economy loses $1.53 billion (£1.27 billion) each year on gambling addiction and related issues like homelessness (5% of the cost), imprisonment (13%), unemployment (6%), and alcohol and drug addiction treatment (0.5%). Also included are intangible costs of depression (26.5%) and suicides (49%).
(Public Health England)
Gambling Statistics FAQ
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Statistics on Gambling: The Takeaway
Despite the economic blow they suffered amid the COVID-19 pandemic, casinos in the United States, and especially in Nevada, are recovering rapidly. Meanwhile, due to a combination of lockdowns and looser legislation, online gambling and sports betting have seen a surge.
And while no one can deny the appeal of gambling as an occasional pastime, gambling addiction is no laughing matter. Gambling statistics suggest that more than 25 million Americans are suffering from this issue, which can lead to many unfavorable outcomes — including suicide.
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