The Growth of the Mobile Gaming Impacts Online Gambling Industry
The massive growth in the online gambling industry goes hand-in-hand with modern communication. When the COVID-19 pandemic led to lockdowns, smartphones dominated mobile gaming.
It’s estimated that there might be almost 7 billion smartphone users worldwide in 2023. That figure represents an 86.5% increase from 2016.
Almost 96% of all internet users have a smartphone.
How have smartphones changed the online gambling industry?
First, we’d need to look at how COVID changed mobile gaming around the world.
Impacts of COVID-19 on the Worldwide Gaming Industry
In 2020, during lockdowns and social distancing, mobile gaming spiked. Millennials and Gen Z saw 21% – 23% surges in time spent playing computer and video games.
Between January and October, gamers spent 12% more time on in-game content than the year before. Paid downloads around the world rose by 21% during that same period.
Electronic Arts and CD Projekt generated 87.7% – 91% of their revenues from digital offerings.
Time spent playing video games increased by 52% in Latin America and 42% in Asia-Pacific. It rose by double digits in every region elsewhere around the world.
Popular genres that saw increases among users in June 2020 included:
- Fighting
- Multiplayer Online Battle Arena
- Battle Royale
In 2020, Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons sold 13.4 million units within six weeks. The PC game Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout sold 11 million units in the last five months of 2020.
Live streaming on Facebook, Twitch, and YouTube also spiked in 2020.
Trends in mobile gaming had already included expansive growth. The COVID-19 pandemic changed digital content among gamers—and gamblers—alike.
Is the Online Gambling Industry Growing?
As of November 2022, there were an estimated 3 billion active mobile gamers around the world. They took in a staggering 60% of revenue in the global video gaming market.
The same trend applies to growth in the online gambling industry.
Worldwide mobile gambling might reach $154.81 billion by 2030. During that period, the market may experience a compound annual growth rate of 12.10%.
As one of the fastest-growing sectors, online betting remains competitive. Gambling platforms cater their welcome bonuses and rewards programs to online players.
Fast and secure payments with blockchain technology enhance the market growth. Through digital transactions, some real money casinos offer a complete mobile experience.
Online gambling options include sports betting, poker, and online casinos.
In 2021, Europe retained the highest market share of online gambling. Legalization spread across France, Germany, and Italy. Offshore gambling in Malta, Gibraltar, and the Isle of Man also continued to thrive.
Sports betting legalization in the U.S. also contributed to legitimizing the industry. Since 2018, dozens of states have passed legislation to allow a form of online gambling.
The American Gaming Association estimated offshore gambling to be worth $150 billion. Thus, states sought to pass legislation for online casinos and sports betting.
Between 2018 and 2022, Americans earned over $125 billion through regulated sportsbooks. By 2023, there may be 23.1 million online sports bettors in the U.S.
That estimate aligned with the AGA’s prediction for the 2022-2023 NFL season. They claimed 47 million Americans might place bets on NFL games. Half of that total would come from online, a 104% increase in two years.
Worldwide casino and online gambling may now be worth over $260 billion.
Top Online Casinos, Games, and Gaming Companies
The most popular online casino games include slots, blackjack, video poker, and roulette. You’ll find them at any online casino. (Check the casino’s licensing and reviews before making a deposit.)
Poker sites remain popular as well among beginners and professionals. Finding a suitable platform might depend on your location. Consider Bovada or BetOnline as reputable offshore options.
Top online games include PUBG MOBILE, Minecraft, Apex Legends, and Fortnite. There’s also Call of Duty – Mobile, World of Warcraft, and many other online multiplayer games.
In 2021, worldwide gaming revenues also reached almost $200 billion. Top companies include Tencent, NetEase, Garena, and Activision Blizzard.
Future Trends in Mobile Gaming and Online Gambling
The mobile gaming market might reach $215 billion by 2028. As online gambling and mobile gaming merge, there are a few developing trends to consider. They include free-to-play games, social gaming, and augmented reality.
Virtual reality is another exciting trend for online gamblers and gamers.
The VR market size may expand by $23 billion between 2021 and 2026. Some studies project future growth of VR could double the pace of mobile gaming.
Users might switch between gaming and gambling without removing a VR headset.
Mobile gaming will change online gambling for a long time to come.
