As the iGaming industry barrels toward 2025, major shifts are underway, and the numbers tell the story.
The global virtual iGaming market was valued at $63.53 billion in 2022. Reports suggest that the market could balloon to $153.57 billion by 2030, driven by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7% from 2023 to 2030.
This massive growth indicates fierce competition. So, platform providers must stay on top of these changes to achieve positive outcomes.
In this post, we’ll dive into the trends driving this expansion, from new technologies to evolving player behavior.
Whether you’re managing campaigns for a startup or scaling efforts for an established brand, these valuable insights will help you maximize your growth.
Current State of the iGaming Industry
Before we dive into where the iGaming industry stands today, let’s quickly check out the major milestone in its history.
Fast forward to today, the iGaming industry is on an upward trajectory, driven by continuous technological advancements.
With the explosion of mobile gaming and better access to high-speed internet, things are moving fast. In fact, the mobile game market is set to generate a whopping $98.74 billion worldwide in 2024 and will cross $118.90 billion by 2027.
What’s more? Countries like the US are seeing regulatory changes that open new avenues for iGaming. On the other hand, European markets remain strong players in the industry.
Besides, enhanced security measures are helping iGaming platforms attract a broad audience.
This momentum shows no signs of slowing down, as both established and emerging markets are set to keep pushing the industry forward.
Regional Analysis and Growth Trends
Let’s analyze the global iGaming market by breaking it down into key regions.
1. Europe: The Established Leader
According to Grand View Research, the European market accounted for over 41% of the global market share in 2022.
With well-defined regulations, operators can confidently enter the market. Their adherence to legal standards protects players and ensures fair play.
Gioconews further states that the European market is poised for steady growth, driven by a resurgence in land-based gambling and a robust online gaming sector.
The ongoing evolution of player preferences and the increasing adoption of mobile gaming are key factors contributing to this positive trajectory.
2. North America: The Emerging Contender
Canada’s iGaming market was primarily unregulated until the establishment of iGaming Ontario (iGO) in 2022. Since then, it has created a solid foundation for future development.
With over 71 websites and 47 operators, iGO has generated over C$1.4 billion in iGaming revenue from C$35.6 billion in total wagers within a year.
Consumer behavior is increasingly favoring digital experiences. No wonder, operators enhance user engagement through collaborations with entertainment brands.
As provinces like Ontario lead the way, Canada could emerge as a key player in the global iGaming, paving the way for innovative operators to thrive.
Besides, the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is also contributing to the unprecedented growth of iGaming in North America.
3. Asia-Pacific: The Untapped Potential
Historically constrained by regulatory challenges, the Asia-Pacific region is showing signs of growth.
For instance, consider the recent developments in Thailand and Vietnam.
Thailand’s proposed iGaming law aims to create integrated entertainment venues. It reflects a commitment to the economic benefits of regulated iGaming, with projected revenues of around $5 billion.
On the other hand, local investments in iGaming are rising in Vietnam.
What’s more? Singapore and Macau are emerging as models for success, as these established markets offer solid regulatory frameworks and operational practices.
4. Latin America: The Up-and-Coming Player
Latin America is emerging as a noteworthy contender in the iGaming sector.
Countries such as Colombia have successfully implemented regulations for responsible online gambling. On the other hand, Brazil is on the verge of opening its market.
Business Wire states that the Latin America iGaming market will bloom at a CAGR of 18.4% from 2022-2028.
Key iGaming Segments Driving Market Expansion
Here are the key iGaming segments driving market expansion.
1. Sports Betting
The rise of mobile app usage has made sports betting more accessible than ever. Players can place their bets with ease from their devices.
Furthermore, they can choose from several advanced data analytics and AI-driven betting tools and enjoy an immersive user experience.
Whether it’s football, basketball, or niche sports like eSports, players are spoilt for choice, and operators are reaping the benefits.
Reports state that the global sports betting market will cross $140.26 billion by 2028. It is likely to continue growing at a CAGR of 10.1% from 2021 to 2028.
2. Online Casinos
From casual gamers seeking quick thrills to the ones aiming for big wins — online casinos cater to all kinds of players.
The pandemic gave a huge push to online casinos, as land-based casinos saw closures.
Today, innovations like live dealer games and virtual reality experiences are transforming the way users engage with online casinos, providing a more immersive experience.
No wonder, the global online casino market will cross $153.57 billion by 2028, with an expected CAGR of 11.7% from 2021 to 2028.
What’s more? Affiliate marketing partnerships, bonus promotions, and loyalty programs are helping drive customer acquisition and retention.
As a result, online casinos have become a key segment in the iGaming growth story.
3. Online Poker
Online poker offers the convenience of playing from anywhere at any time. Players can join online poker tournaments and compete with others globally from their devices.
Besides, the advanced poker apps and platforms, and the rise of poker influencers and educational content have further contributed to its popularity.
Reports suggest that the global online poker market will cross $193.8 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 11.5% from 2024 to 2030.
Top 5 Factors Fueling the Growth of iGaming
Now that you know the iGaming trends by region, let’s explore the top five factors fueling its growth in detail.
1. Proliferation of Mobile Gaming
A recent report by Newzoo reveals that the number of global smartphone users will cross 4.5 billion by 2024.
Such widespread mobile device adoption offers several advantages to iGaming operators. For instance, they can connect to, reach, and engage with potential customers in a few clicks. Besides, the operators can send targeted promotions and updates directly to users’ devices.
On the other hand, mobile gaming allows players to engage in their favorite online games anytime, anywhere. They can leverage user-friendly interface mobile apps and responsive websites for seamless gaming experiences.
In short, it’s a win-win situation for all parties involved.
2. High-Speed Internet
The global rollout of 4G and 5G networks has transformed internet speeds and reliability. The improved connectivity and ultra-fast speed enable smooth streaming of live casino games.
The reduced lag times also make real-time betting and multiplayer games seamless. It allows players to participate without interruption. This enhances the authenticity of the iGaming experience and boosts player engagement and satisfaction.
As 5G networks expand globally, we can expect even more innovative iGaming products that leverage high-speed connectivity.
3. Enhanced Payment Solutions
Gone are the days of worrying about sensitive card details or personal information being compromised.
Today, online players can benefit from enhanced payment solutions that ensure safe and secure transactions.
Modern payment methods like e-wallets, open banking, and more have made transactions secure and convenient.
What’s more? These solutions offer advanced encryption and fraud prevention measures, protecting users’ financial data from potential threats. Besides, the real-time nature of these platforms allows players to deposit and withdraw money instantly, thereby boosting user satisfaction.
4. Evolving Customer Preferences
Customer preferences are ever-evolving. The iGaming industry has been quick to adapt to these changing preferences.
iGaming platforms offer –
- 24/7 Availability: Unlike land-based casinos, customers can always access iGaming websites.
- Access from Anywhere: Unlike traditional casinos that require visiting physical locations, players can enjoy their favorite games from anywhere.
- Lower Minimum Bets: iGaming platforms often offer lower stakes options, making online gaming more accessible to a broad audience.
- A Variety of Games: Online platforms cater to players’ specific interests. There are multiple online games that players can choose from.
- Multiplayer Collaboration: iGaming platforms allow multiple players to collaborate via real-time chats and play their favorite games.
These factors are attracting younger demographics who value digital-first experiences.
5. Shifts in Regulatory Frameworks
The recent regulatory changes in various regions have opened up new growth opportunities.
For instance, there has been a massive shift in the United States, especially after the 2018 repeal of the PASPA Act.
This has led to –
- State-by-State Legalization: Several states now allow online sports betting and, in some cases, online casino games.
- New Revenue Streams: States are gaining tax revenues from regulated iGaming.
- Job Creation: The expansion of legal iGaming has created jobs for the technology, marketing, and customer service sectors.
This trend is expected to continue. No wonder, the US is considered one of the largest iGaming markets worldwide.
What’s more? There has been a move towards standardizing licensing processes for iGaming.
Organizations like the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) are working to promote global consistency in iGaming regulation. This will create a more stable regulatory environment for operators.
The Impact of Affiliates on iGaming Growth
Affiliates serve as intermediaries between iGaming platforms and potential players. Their job is to reach and attract interested players and encourage them to sign up or register.
Here’s how –
They implement crucial iGaming marketing tactics, such as content marketing, social media advertising, and more, to attract targeted traffic.
Besides, affiliates educate and help potential players about iGaming and accelerate sign-up decisions. They offer authentic industry insights and advice to make players comfortable engaging with iGaming services.
Simply put, they help drive user acquisition and enhance brand visibility.
Partnering with affiliates is, therefore, a smart move.
It can help affiliate managers build effective iGaming marketing strategies and attract new players in the competitive digital ecosystem.
For instance, affiliate managers can collaborate with a network of affiliates to launch an exclusive promotion that offers a special welcome bonus for players who sign up through specific affiliate links.
Consequently, the affiliates can promote this exclusive offer through social media channels, email newsletters, websites, and more. This strategy can help affiliate managers, whether aligned with a brand or a platform provider, onboard more users seamlessly.
However, it’s crucial to understand that not every affiliate partnership is beneficial.
How to Optimize Your Affiliate Campaigns in 2025?
Our state-of-the-art iGaming affiliate management software, Affnook, can be your reliable partner.
It allows you to track the performance of each affiliate in real-time. This means you can identify partners driving high-quality traffic and conversions with a few clicks (which could take countless hours otherwise!)
We are proud to share that we have earned the AffPapa iGaming Award 2024 for our commitment to providing effective affiliate management solutions.
Here’s what you get with our iGaming affiliate software –
- Intuitive Reporting Dashboard: The centralized dashboard allows you to scan and identify top performers across multiple channels (omnichannel tracking). The performance data can further help you allocate the budget accordingly.
- Real-Time Reports: Our iGaming affiliate software provides error-free reports with granular insights.
- Advanced Segmentation and Filters: You can filter reports using attributes like NGR (net gaming revenue – accounts for expenses), GGR (gross gaming revenue – purely measures a casino’s winnings before deductions), depositing customers, and more.
- Commission and Payout Management: Affnook offers customizable and flexible payout models. You can check the affiliate’s performance and incentivize them for their efforts. It helps align rewards with their contribution and encourages them to generate higher-quality users.
- Negative Carryover Management: Affnook allows you to manage negative carryover by forgiving or transferring debt. This helps talented and sincere affiliates recover from poor performance.
- Tracking Chargebacks: The software helps identify potential fraud and problematic partners early. This helps in decision-making and nurtures genuine, long-term partnerships.
What’s more? Our customer support team is available 24/7 to guide you.
Conclusion
The iGaming industry is experiencing exponential growth, and 2025 promises to be a year of crucial transformation. This is evident from the latest market and customer trends.
Partnering with iGaming affiliates can help you stay ahead of key trends to gain a competitive edge. They can help you drive traffic, acquire players, and boost brand visibility.
However, you must ensure you have the right partner on board. Affnook’s advanced iGaming affiliate software can help you manage and optimize affiliate partnerships.
Talk to our team now to learn more about Affnook and see your business scale to new heights in 2025 and beyond.
