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From the financial might of the industry, to player specific tendencies, we've broken down all the
important numbers and arranged them into bite sized chunks so you can digest them at your
leisure.
Whether it's a poker player calculating their pot equity, a roulette spinner running through their odds of
victory or an operator releasing their latest revenue report, numerical data permeates every inch of
gambling. Get a handle on the figures to make the most of your game!
Global Industry
Greatest Nations
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Starting from the top, the most important stat for gamblers as it stands today is the value of the industry as a
whole. Split into two main verticals, live and online, the gambling world has experienced impressive growth over
the last five years.
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19/2/2020 Global Gambling Statistics 2020 - A List of the World's Gambling Capitals
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Breaking it down country-by-country for gambling profits, we see China and the US topping the list. (2015 figures)
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In the US the numbers are quite different, in 2016 only 3% out of the 4.2 billion who said they gamble regularly
said they played online. This number must have gone up in the following years however, as the revenue in 2018
landed on $306.5 billion for the US online gambling market. LOG IN MENU
Despite being the home of Las Vegas, Americans are a distant third on $505.44 per capita, with Ireland and its
liberal approach to gambling next on $490.39. The UK, with legal land-based and online gambling, and boasting
one of the world's premier licensing jurisdictions, sits way back on $377.83.
“ The gambling industry continues to prove that it's one of the most vibrant entertainment
economies in the world
Another interesting top 10 member is Malta. The small Mediterranean island boasts a small population but one of
”
the largest per-capita losses anywhere in the world. Malta is a leading gaming jurisdiction that is home to many of
the world's biggest online gambling sites and affiliates.
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It's interesting that Macau tops the list of per-head revenue. But Chinese nationals don't register on our top list of
gambling losses. Macau's tourist business has struggled recently, but visitors still ensure that the former
Portuguese colony keeps Macau way on top.
Australia seems to rank highly in terms of losses and revenue. The country boasts more "pokies" (slot machines)
than most countries, and that's in a country that only has 22 million people.
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19/2/2020 Global Gambling Statistics 2020 - A List of the World's Gambling Capitals
When it comes to gambling, we're all equal. Regardless of where you live, the games you play or the amount you
wager, we're all battling against the odds when we ante-up live or online. However, like a stack of casino chips,
some countries have risen up higher than others over the last few years. LOG IN MENU
So which country gambles the most? Through a combination of regulation, innovation and effective promotion, the
US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Macau have emerged as gambling gurus since the turn of the millennium.
Let's take a look at the major players in 2020, and how they're using their industries to turn them into world gaming
leaders. Click the “Stats for” to jump down to each country section.
Although gambling is illegal in mainland China, Macau is a gambling haven. 50% of Macau’s
1. Macau revenue is made up from gambling alone. In 2018 the city made almost $38 billion.
The gambling industry in the US is worth $261 billion and holds 1.8 million jobs. Most of these
2. USA are in Nevada as gambling is actually banned in most states.
With legislation changes, the UK market is steadily growing. In 2018 the British gambling
3. UK industry made £14.4 billion and it’s estimated that 32% of the population gamble weekly.
80% of the Australian population gamble. A recent study showed that they bet more than any
4.
other country, spending around $18 billion a year.
Australia
With a liberal approach to gambling, Canada makes CA$17.3 billion in revenue every year from
5.
gambling. The industry grew 4.9% in 2017 and is still growing.
Canada
1. Macau
Biggest games: Casino
China has a love-hate relationship with gambling. It has state-run lotteries that cater for its 1 billion-plus residents,
but most online and live gambling is outlawed. The big problem China has, or at least its government, is what to do
with Macau.
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The former Portuguese colony now boasts one of the world's largest gambling centers. It acts as a Special
Administrative Region in China. And while it's not completely governed from Beijing, it has had to endure immense
pressure from the mainland to wean itself off gambling revenue. LOG IN MENU
How it's governed: The Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) oversees gambling in Macau.
The DICJ also provides support to the Chief Executive of Macau in arranging economic plans for the city.
There are 38 casinos in Macau, including major projects from global players like Sands and Wynn, and Melco
Crown.
Overall in Macau, gross gaming revenue (GGR) has been on the decline for a few years. A clampdown on cash
flowing from China to Macau has led to many casinos struggling. A new direction for casinos into 'mass market'
entertainment may see a change in Macau's fortunes. Otherwise, VIPs and high rollers will continue to find new
places to gamble like Australia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
With Macau, the US still leads the way in global gambling, with the heartland of Nevada helping out with its liberal
casino industry.
While most states have banned online gambling, many have legalized casinos, either on tribal reserves or run
privately. State lotteries exists in most US states too.
In 2013, Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware became the first states to regulate online gaming for the first time.
Nevada now operates online poker sites, while Delaware and New Jersey have legal online casinos and poker
sites. Sportsbetting on the web is outlawed everywhere.
According to UNLV stats, commercial casino gaming revenues in the USA have been on the rise steadily for a few
years:
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Understandably, Nevada leads the way with $11,113,830 in 2015 in terms of its share of US casino gambling. But
New Jersey has had a torrid time. The home of Atlantic City has seen casinos close as its casino revenue has
dropped from $5.2 million in 2006 to $2.5 million in 2015.
New Jersey legalized online gambling in 2013 after the relaxation of internet gambling laws. The Division of
Gaming Enforcement (DGE) oversees legal internet gaming in the Garden State.
How much does gambling bring in a year? In 2017 the overall gross revenue was $158.54 billion, in 2018 however
this reached $161.24 billion. In 2017 the largest share came from Pari-Mutuel betting. By the next year it had
shifted to Bookmaking, showing a $430 million revenue alone.
How it's governed: Lotteries, casino and sportsbooks are governed on a state-by-state basis. Sportsbetting is still
banned online across the US, but the law is being challenged with a rise in popularity of DFS (Daily Fantasy
Sports). Nevada and New Jersey have legalized land-based casinos, with some legal online gambling. California
and Florida have thriving legal live poker industries. However, both states have resisted calls to legalize online
poker. Pennsylvania recently liberalized both its land-based and online gambling markets.
3. United Kingdom
Games: Sportsbetting, poker, lottery, bingo, horseracing, casino, mobile gaming, social gaming
One of the original gambling markets and a leader when it comes to regulation courtesy of the UK Gambling
Commission, the UK has posted some impressive numbers in recent years. From the number of betting outlets to
the overall size of the market, the UK is undoubtedly a great gambling nation.
The UK has land-based casinos and poker rooms, bingo and a regulated national lottery. Brits are also allowed to
gamble for real money on mobile and online gambling websites.
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How it's governed: Gambling in the United Kingdom is overseen by the UK Gambling Commission, a regulatory
body set up in 2005 after the then-Labour government decided to open up the laws surrounding gambling.
The UKGC is responsible for monitoring casinos and issuing online licenses to gambling websites. As of 2014,
when the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act was introduced, all offshore betting sites wanting to supply UK
customers must pay "Point of Consumption" tax and acquire a UK Gambling Commission license.
“ In the UK, online and mobile betting accounted for Gross Gaming Yield (GGY) of
£710.19 million in 2011-12.
Online gambling in the UK: Remote betting has grown hugely in the UK. Online and mobile betting accounted for
”
Gross Gaming Yield (GGY) of £710.19 million in 2011-12. Under new legislation, that rose to £3.6 billion for the
period 2014-15. Brits over 18 are allowed to gamble at land-based casinos, online and via mobile.
There has been controversy surrounding so-called FOBTs (Fixed Odds Betting Terminals) in land-based
bookmakers. These gaming terminals offer casino-style slots and roulette to punters walking in off the high street.
Despite campaigns to limit bets and the pace of players' losses, FOBTs continue to bolster a huge homegrown
betting industry.
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4. Australia
Always an innovator with regards to connecting the industry and the wider community, Australia has maintained its
gaming dominance for more than a decade. Through a combination of pokies helping to fund local sports, Asian
tourists visiting live casinos and a flourishing online economy, Australia has posted some impressive gambling
stats in recent years.
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Controversial "pokies" (poker machines) dominate the homegrown industry Down Under. These are the local name
for slots or fruit machines. As well as land-based casinos in Melbourne and Sydney, pokies can be found in pubs
and clubs across most states. In Western Australia, pokies are currently restricted to casinos. However, that could
change.
Latest figures show that 2.9 million Aussies over 18 played pokie machines, around 16 percent of the country's
adult population. 42 percent played once a week.
However, sportsbetting is on the rise. State-run TAB outlets allow Australians to bet on a range of sports.
How it's governed: Individual states have the power to allow local operators to house poker machines. In Victoria,
Tabcorp and Tatts run a duopoly on live sportsbetting and lottery.
The Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001 was recently updated to outlaw so-called 'in-play' betting on sports in
Australia. Some online sportsbetting sites do operate in Australia, mainly licensed in Northern Territory, but online
casinos are banned. Many offshore online casinos based overseas continue to allow Aussies to register.
5. Canada
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A hub for a number of online gambling operators and software providers, Canada has benefited from its liberal
approach to gambling (unlike its North American neighbor). Thanks to this blend of innovation and regulation, the
Canadian industry is now one of the leading gambling regions in the world. LOG IN MENU
As well as major land-based casinos in British Columbia and Ontario, Canada also boasts one of the world's key
online gambling jurisdictions. Kahnawake outside Montreal hosts the KGC (Kahnawake Gaming Commission)
which licenses online casinos and poker sites.
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Number of venues and designated gaming areas in the Canadian gambling industry (2015-
2016)
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It is estimated that at least 76% of adult Canadians engage in some form of gambling. As of 2017, that percentage
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represents almost 30 million Canadians. (Exact number: 29,650,033). Canada`s betting industry is estimated to
generate over $15.5B per year.
Before we conclude our gambling stat attack, let's take a quick look at some of the most impressive figures from
some of the world's emerging talents.
Despite being a relatively new market in terms of gambling, 44% of Singaporeans aged 18 and over
participated in some form of gambling in 2014.
Germans win, on average, $115 each and every year; a figure that makes it the 9th ranked country in terms of
per capita wins.
Now seen as the largest live casino hub in the world, Macau managed to attract 31.5 million visitors in 2014.
In 2014, a total of 3.9 million players registered with online gambling sites in Spain.
With a population of 127 million, Japan has plenty of people to bolster the country's gambling industry.
Japanese gamblers spent $31 billion in 2013, according to one report.
In 2016, Playtika remained the largest social casino publisher with 25.4% market share, followed by SciGames
Interactive with 8.4% market share, and Zynga at 8.1% market share. Combined, the top 3 companies accounted
for 42% of the total social casino game market, while the top 15 accounted for roughly 83%.
Playtika
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Zynga
SE
igt
Aristocrat
GSN Games
As of 2016, North America remained the biggest social casino market of all regions, reaching 1.7 billion U.S.
dollars, followed by Asia and Europe.
Across the U.S, U.K., and Australia, 37% of PC and mobile players play social casino games, such as slots, poker,
bingo, blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. Slots emerge as the most popular type of social casino game, played by
53% of social casino players.
1. Casino Games/Slots
2. Sportsbetting
3. Poker
4. Lottery
5. Bingo
Although the global recession and regulatory issues have caused parts of the gambling industry to develop slower
than expected over the last decade, the overall balance sheet is still in the black. In fact, as we head towards
2020, the advent of technology such as mobile casinos, live dealer games and, potentially, virtual reality, are
helping to take annual revenue to record levels.
So, whether you're an operator, a player or just someone with a penchant for numbers, the gambling industry
continues to prove that it's one of the most vibrant entertainment economies in the world.
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There is arguably no industry in the world today that can match the sheer growth and drive of online gambling. A
Considering the current state of world gambling, everyone is now looking to the future. But - as most will already
Main Sources:
UK Gambling Commission: Gambling Industry Statistics
Statista: www.statista.com
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