Roughly 2 to 2.2 billion people are expected to gamble worldwide in 2025, that’s over a quarter of the global population. In the U.S. alone, 155 million adults have gambled in the past year. In the U.K., nearly 26 million people gamble every month. Australia? A staggering 73% of adults participate in gambling annually. And India, though still emerging in this space, is projected to hit 80 million online gamblers by 2029.
These aren’t just casual habits. The global gambling market is set to reach $832.5 billion in 2025, on track to hit $1 trillion by 2030.
This blog breaks it all down, how many people gamble, where they’re from, how much they spend, and what’s driving the growth. If you’re looking for hard data and regional trends without the marketing spin, this is where you start.
How Many People Gamble Globally
Back in 2005, a study by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis estimated that about 1.6 billion people worldwide gambled at least once during the year, and more than 4.2 billion had gambled at some point in their lives. Since then, the global population has grown significantly, and access to gambling has expanded, especially with the rise of online platforms, mobile apps, and broader legalization in several countries.
Taking these factors into account, the estimated number of people who gamble each year in 2025 is likely between 2 to 2.2 billion, which is 26% of the world’s population. Meanwhile, the number of individuals who have ever gambled in their lifetime could be over 5.2 billion.
Source: Washington University.
Number Of Gamblers In The United States
About 85% of U.S. adults have gambled at least once in their lives, with 60% having gambled within the past year. The U.S. adult population stands at 258.3 million, meaning 155 million people have gambled in the country in 2024.
Some form of legalized gambling is available in 48 states plus the District of Columbia. The two states without legalized gambling are Hawaii and Utah.
Source: NCPG.org
Gambling Population In India
The user penetration rate for online gambling in India is expected to reach 5.1% by 2025, meaning roughly 5 out of every 100 people in the country will be active on gambling platforms. Looking ahead, the number of users is projected to climb to 80 million by 2029.
This growth is being driven by increasing smartphone adoption, with 85% of the households having at least 1 smartphone in the country. Add affordable internet access and the rising popularity of online betting and fantasy sports to the mix, and you get an upward trend for India’s online gambling market.
Source: Statista
Gambling Population In The UK
As per the latest available data from reliable sources, nearly 48% of Britons, which accounts for around 25.75 million people, gamble every month. Of this group, 21% engage only in lottery draws, while 27% participate in other forms of gambling, either alongside or instead of the lottery.
Notably, 17% of the UK population prefers to gamble exclusively online, reflecting the growing shift toward digital platforms. With a national population of 68.8 million, these numbers highlight just how deeply embedded gambling has become in everyday life across the U.K.
Source:
Gambling Population Of Australia
About 73% of Australian adults, which is around 15.9 million people, said they spent money on at least one form of gambling in the past year.
Lotteries and scratch cards were the most popular, with 64% of people taking part. This was followed by race betting, including horse, greyhound, and harness racing, with 39% participation. Sports betting came next at 34%, while around 33% of adults reported using poker machines, also known as “pokies.”
Source: AIHW.
Global Gambling Market Size (2025 to 2030)
The global gambling market is estimated to be valued at $832.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $1 trillion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 3.7% over the forecast period.
Within this market, the lottery segment is projected to grow at 2.8% CAGR, reaching about $411.5 billion by 2030. Meanwhile, the betting segment is expected to grow faster, at a CAGR of 4.6% over the same time frame.
The average revenue per user in the Gambling market globally is projected to amount to $375.52 in 2025.
| Year | Market Size |
| 2023 | $773.7 billion |
| 2024 | $802.6 billion |
| 2025 | $832.5 billion |
| 2026 | $863.6 billion |
| 2027 | $895.9 billion |
| 2028 | $929.3 billion |
| 2029 | $964 billion |
| 2030 | $1000 billion |
Source: Research and Markets.
Insights On Gambling Markets By Regions
United States
In global comparison, most revenue will be generated United States, let’s have a look at some of the market stats of the country.
- The US gambling market is projected to reach $121.29 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to $147.88 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 5.08%.
- The US online gambling market was valued at $12.68 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow significantly by 2030.
- Commercial gross gaming revenue of the gambling industry in the U.S. is $71.92 billion.
- The North American casino gambling market is projected to grow from $96.85 billion in 2025 to $133.62 billion by 2030.
- The average revenue per user (ARPU) in the U.S. gambling market is projected to amount to $594 in 2025.
Source: Statista.
Australia
- The global gambling market is expected to generate $15.88 billion in revenue by 2025, with a projected CAGR of 2.19% from 2025 to 2029, reaching $17.32 billion by the end of the forecast period.
- The sports betting segment is projected to contribute $7.32 billion in revenue in 2025.
- The average revenue per user (ARPU) in the gambling market is estimated to be $1,910 in 2025.
- The total number of gambling users is expected to reach 8.9 million by 2029.
- User penetration in the gambling market is projected to be 30.9% in 2025.
Source: Statista.
India
- The gambling market revenue in India is projected to reach $8 billion in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 2.97% from 2025 to 2029.
- By 2029, the market is expected to reach a total value of $9 billion.
- The lottery and bingo segment is forecasted to generate $4.81 billion in revenue in 2025.
- The average revenue per user (ARPU) in 2025 is expected to be around $107.40.
Source: Statista.
United Kingdom
- The gambling market is projected to generate $28.86 billion in revenue by 2025, with an expected CAGR of 2.87% from 2025 to 2029, reaching $32.31 billion.
- The casinos and casino games segment is expected to contribute $15.31 billion in revenue in 2025.
- The average revenue per user (ARPU) in 2025 is estimated at $1,050.
- The number of gambling users is expected to reach 29 million by 2029.
- User penetration in the gambling market is projected to hit 39.4% in 2025.
Source: Statista.
Gender Split Of The U.S. Gamblers
In the United States, men make up about 64% of the gambling population, while women account for 36%. This gender gap highlights a noticeable difference in overall participation between the two groups.
There are also clear differences in the types of gambling activities preferred by each gender. Men are more drawn to competitive and skill-based forms of gambling, such as sports betting, playing cards for money, fantasy leagues, and games of skill. For instance, around 28% of men in the U.S. bet on sports, compared to only 12% of women.
On the other hand, women are more likely to engage in games of chance and luck. Their preferences lean towards the lottery, scratch-off tickets, bingo, slot machines, video poker, and raffles.
Source: NYPCG.
Top Reasons For Gambling
| Reason for gambling | Share of people surveyed |
| For the chance of winning big money | 86% |
| Because it’s fun | 70% |
| To make money | 58% |
| Because it’s exciting | 55% |
| A sense of achievement when I win | 44% |
| It’s something I can enjoy with my friends or family | 34% |
| As a hobby or pastime | 27% |
| To be sociable | 24% |
| To escape boredom or to fill my time | 23% |
| To relax | 22% |
How Much Does The Average Person In The U.K. Spend On Gambling
The average U.K. citizen who participates in gambling, including lottery tickets, spends £11/week or £49/month on gambling activities. This is based on the gross gambling yield in Great Britain and the most recent reports that 48% of UK adults take part in gambling.
Source: Finder.
Reasons For Visiting A Casino
When asked why they visit casinos, responses showed only slight variations. 44% of people said they go mainly to gamble but also to socialize. Another 30% said they visit solely to gamble. A smaller group, about 22%, said they go mostly to socialize, while just 4% said their visits are only for socializing and enjoying the amenities, without any gambling.
Source: NCPG Survey.
View of Americans Towards Casinos
71% of Americans believe the gaming industry has a positive effect on the U.S. economy. Over 75% of Americans also see its benefits at the local level, especially in job creation, tourism, and community development.
Insights on local impacts
- 83% say casinos bring entertainment and dining options to areas that may not have them otherwise.
- 83% agree that casinos boost tourism and attract conventions and meetings.
- 79% believe the industry creates jobs and investments that stay within the U.S. and can’t be outsourced.
- 77% say gaming provides good-paying jobs.
Most Americans view job creation as the most significant benefit of the casino gaming industry, with 73% ranking it as the top priority. Tourism is another major advantage, with 61% saying casinos help bring more visitors to local areas. Additionally, 57% believe that casino taxes provide important support for community services and development.
Final Word
From the 2+ billion people who gamble each year to the $1 trillion market it’s heading toward, the scale of gambling is impossible to ignore. We’ll continue updating this post as more reliable data becomes available, so you always have the most current insights at your fingertips.