7 exciting statistics from casino industry 2024

The global casino industry has experienced robust growth in recent years, driven by factors like the expansion of online gambling, rising disposable incomes, and greater tourism. According to projections, the total casino market size is expected to grow from $131.42 billion in 2023 to $165.72 billion by 2028 at a compound annual rate of 4.6%.

Underpinning this growth are key dynamics like increasing internet and smartphone penetration, expanding the reach of casino gaming, creating new product innovations to attract customers, and establishing strategic partnerships with adjacent sectors to deliver more captivating leisure experiences. Here’s a data-driven look at crucial statistics defining the shape and direction of the worldwide casino market.

The casino market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $131.42 billion in 2023 to $138.26 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. During the historical period, the expansion can be credited to several gambling factors, including:

• expansion of online gambling;
• introduction of innovative casino online products, services, and promotions, including free spins, no-deposit bonuses, best payment methods, plus the lowest deposit fees and amount;
• the tremendous growth of the online gambling sector boosted by increasing internet and smartphone penetration, expanding the potential customer base;
• casinos partnering with entertainment, tourism, and hospitality industries to offer a more engaging experience.

The casino gaming overall market size is expected to see steady and consistent growth over the coming years. Specifically, it is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.6% to reach $165.72 billion in total size by the year 2028 based on projections.

When it comes to casino game development, the top studios now account for a significant majority of the total game titles and content available on casino sites. According to statistics, the top 10 game developers produce over half of all games globally.

Further, content from larger developer groups makes up around 70% of all games on operator sites, highlighting their dominance. Some of the leading casino game providers and developers in terms of the total number of games produced in 2022 include Push Gaming, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, Quickspin, and Evolution Gaming.

Slot games still are the most popular type of game playable at casinos, both online and offline. Statistics show slots make up nearly 88% of all games found on operator websites.

Live dealer casino games, which allow online players to interact with real dealers via streaming, hold the second spot, accounting for about 5% of total games. Further, there are over 25,000 unique casino games with some of the best RTP currently available across operator sites, representing a 33% jump compared to 2020.

According to Mordor Intelligence, North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe are projected to be the three largest regional markets for casino gambling in 2024. Within North America, the United States is expected to dominate in terms of total casino market share.

Asia-Pacific region, backed by its massive population and strong economic growth, has the potential to witness the highest CAGR during the specific forecast period, supported by countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and others rapidly developing their domestic casino industries. Europe, too, will remain an important market led by large gaming jurisdictions like the UK, Italy, and Germany, among others.

The Asia-Pacific region, driven by tourism growth and new casino developments across multiple countries, is forecasted to experience the highest casino market growth rate between 2023-2028. Below are some interesting data about the market.

• Asia-Pacific made up over 25% share of global casino gaming revenue in 2023;
• Revenues are projected to reach $46.8 billion in 2024, reflecting a 30% 5-year CAGR;
• By 2028, the market is forecasted to more than double to over $100 billion.

Countries like Singapore, South Korea, the Philippines, and Cambodia are expected to fuel much of the expansion through large integrated resort casinos and growing domestic demand. Nations like China and Japan also represent huge untapped potential as they gradually relax gaming policies, especially the license acquisition policy, paving the way for even faster APAC market growth in the long run.

Data shows the average online casino bet size varies considerably based on game type and player demographics. Most casual gamblers (26% of the total) tend to wager around $10 or less per bet when playing slots, roulette, or other games on their phones or laptops.

Additionally, about 23% of players prefer non-gambling formats like free demo play titles without real bets. However, operators aim to convert these free users to paying customers down the line through various monetization mechanics inside such games.

The mobile revolution has greatly influenced online gambling trends in the last decade. Statistics indicate that smartphones are now the dominant device used for gambling activities, surpassing computers and tablets. Nearly 50% of all online casino players today prefer using their phones to access gaming sites and apps.

Laptops come in second at 23%, followed by tablets, which see higher use among the 35-44 age group. Younger bettors from 16-24 mostly play with phones or laptops for their responsible gambling entertainment.

The global casino industry is positioned for strong, continued expansion through 2028 based on current growth projections and market dynamics. Several key statistics covered in this report paint a picture of an industry undergoing rapid evolution in multiple areas - from product innovation and software disruption to regulatory shifts and changing consumer behaviors. On the whole, the next 5 years will see creativity and partnerships combining to transform casino entertainment into an even more dynamic and competitive sector.

This article was written in cooperation with Leon Górski - Chief Editor at Polskie Sloty