The online gambling industry has been booming over the past few years, and shows no signs of slowing down. With more and more countries legalizing and regulating online gambling, it’s important to know which markets are leading the way. According to recent reports, the top 15 online gambling markets in the world include countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and China. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top countries in the industry and what makes them stand out.
1. United States Of America
Gambling has been a part of the United States of America for centuries. The history of gambling in the country dates back to the colonial era, where public lotteries were prevalent. Today, the size of the gambling market in the United States is enormous and generates billions of dollars in revenue annually. In 2022, the total gross gaming revenue of the gambling industry in the United States amounted to $60.42 billion.
The gaming authority in the country is regulated by each state that allows gambling, however, the Federal Government plays a critical role in regulating sports betting. Some of the most popular casinos in the United States include the Bellagio in Las Vegas, MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and the Borgata in Atlantic City. With a rich history and a growing market, the United States is a significant player in the global gambling industry.
2. China
Gambling in China has been illegal since the Communist Party took power in 1949. However, despite the gambling ban, gambling in China continues. The gambling industry is prevalent in China because of copycat websites that mirror established ones. The only forms of legal gambling in China are the welfare lottery and sports lottery, which are authorized by the Chinese government. A state-run organization regulates these lotteries. In 2022, the revenue generated by the China gambling market was considerable.
The China online gambling market size was reported to be US$ 9.2 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach US$ 14.7 billion by 2027, according to IMARC group. Popular casinos in China are mainly located in Macau, the only place on Chinese soil where casinos are legal. Macau became the gambling mecca of Asia because of the freedoms under the “one country two systems” principle. The gaming authority in China is a state-run organization that regulates welfare and sports lotteries.
3. Japan
Most forms of gambling have been banned under the Criminal Code chapter 23. However, there are a few exceptions, such as betting on horse racing, bicycle racing, and certain motorsports. In 2022, the size of the online gambling market in Japan reached US$ 7.2 billion, and it is projected to grow to US$ 10.7 billion by 2028, according to IMARC Group.
The gaming authority in Japan is called the Japan Casino Regulatory Commission (JCRC), which is responsible for regulating and licensing casinos. Popular casinos in Japan include the Grand Hyatt Tokyo casino, the Ritz Carlton casino, and the Wynn Resorts casino in Osaka. While gambling is still frowned upon by some Japanese, the recent approval of plans to open the country’s first casino is seen as a significant step in turning the tide towards gambling.
4. Italy
Gambling in Italy, dates back to the 16th century when the wealthy bourgeoisie of Venice would gather to play games of chance. Despite being technically illegal according to Italian criminal law, gambling, betting, and lotteries are fully legal in the country. The Italian gambling market is sizable, with a range of casinos and slot halls operating across the nation. In 2022, the Italian gambling market generated revenue of approximately €25bn, representing a significant industry in the country.
The gaming authority in Italy is known as AAMS, which stands for “Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato.” Some of the most popular casinos in Italy include Casino de la Vallee, located in Saint Vincent, and San Remo Casino, both of which have become destinations for gambling enthusiasts visiting the country.
5. United Kingdom
Gambling in the United Kingdom, dates back to the Roman era. Fast forward to today, and the United Kingdom gambling market is among the largest and most lucrative in the world. In 2022 alone, the gross gambling yield (GGY) amounted to a little over 14 billion British pounds, with the online gambling market accounting for a significant portion of that revenue.
The UK Gambling Commission is the regulatory authority that oversees the industry, ensuring fair play and responsible gambling practices. Some of the most well-known casinos in the UK include the legendary Hippodrome Casino in London and the luxurious Grosvenor Casinos found throughout the country. As the market continues to grow, the future looks bright for both operators and players alike.
6. Australia
The Australian gambling market is massive, with $191 billion gambled by Australians in 2014-15 alone which is $1,242 spent by each person aged above 18. In 2022, the Australian gambling market reported revenue generation of AUD 25 billion, according to the Department of Social Services. The gaming authority in Australia is the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Some of the popular casinos in Australia include Crown Melbourne, The Star Sydney, and SkyCity Adelaide. Given the numbers associated with the gambling industry in Australia, it is clear that gambling is a vital part of the Australian economy, but it’s also an issue that needs to be addressed to prevent addiction and promote responsible gambling.
7. Germany
The Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) is the gambling authority in Germany, responsible for regulating the transnational gambling market in the country. The GGL was established to supervise and control the gambling sector in Germany, taking over from the federal states. Their focus is on enforcing Germany’s gambling laws and regulations, which cover issues such as license restrictions and the application process for a license.
The revenue generated by the German gambling market in 2022 was approximately EUR 14 billion. Popular casinos located throughout Germany include Casino Berlin, Spielbank Hamburg and Casino Munich-Munich East, among many others that offer classic games like blackjack, baccarat and roulette for players to enjoy. Of course, anyone looking to gamble in Germany must be at least 18 years of age.
8. Canada
The Canadian gambling industry has become a major contributor to the economy, providing over 135,000 jobs and generating over $12 billion in revenue in 2022. With market experts predicting it to hit over $50 billion in the next decade, the industry has great potential for growth. Online gambling has also become a significant part of the industry, with reports estimating that the Canadian mobile gaming industry earned over $643 million in revenue in 2021.
The gambling authority in Canada is responsible for regulating the industry to ensure safety and fairness for all players. Popular casinos in Canada include the Casino Niagara, the Fallsview Casino Resort, and the Caesars Windsor Hotel and Casino. Overall, the gambling market in Canada continues to thrive, attracting both local and international players looking for a unique and exciting gaming experience.
9. France
The France gambling market has witnessed a surge in recent times, with the online gambling market size reaching $6.4 billion in 2022 and expected to climb up to $10 billion by 2028. Online sports betting contributed largely to this growth, generating close to €950 million in revenue in 2020 despite the disruption caused by the pandemic.
The gambling industry in France is regulated by two main bodies – PMU (Pari Mutuel Urbain) and FDJ (Française des Jeux), with the regulatory authority for online gambling being ARJEL (the ‘Regulatory Authority for Online Games’).
Although online gambling revenue saw a double-digit fall in the first half of normal trading, French gambling revenue still surged 7% in 2021, exceeding €10 billion. Popular casinos in France include the Casino Barrière Enghien-les-Bains, Casino de Monte-Carlo, and Casino de Deauville.
10. South Korea
While South Korea boasts a multi-trillion South Korean won gambling industry that is heavily regulated by the National Gambling Control Commission, online gambling within the country remains strictly illegal. Tourists and expats are free to partake in various forms of gambling like the lottery, horse racing, boat racing, and cycling, but not casino gambling.
The government continues to actively police online gambling to prevent illegal activity, resulting in crackdowns on illegal online gambling sites in the country. In 2022, the South Korean gambling industry saw a significant increase in revenue. According to Statista, the revenue generated from the industry amounted to almost 16.2 trillion South Korean won (approximately $14.1 billion USD).
This surge in revenue can be attributed to the strong uptick seen in the results of prominent casino operators such as Paradise and Grand Korea Leisure. The gambling authority in South Korea takes responsible gaming seriously and works to promote safer and more regulated gambling practices. Among popular casinos are Paradise City Casino and Its Associated Resort in Incheon and Walkerhill Casino in Seoul.