Gaming Industry Report 2025: Market Size & Trends

The focus for companies is maximizing lifetime value of players while avoiding the most egregious practices that could prompt regulatory crackdowns. Almost all top mobile games and many PC/console/multiplatform titles (e.g. Fortnite, Genshin Impact) use this model. Cloud gaming services – which stream games to devices via the internet – made progress in 2024 but still face growth challenges. From mobile gaming to console, PC, and cloud, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years yet. Even though a lot of gamblers have no problems using mobile websites to play, others demand access to an application.

This social dimension taps into the growing popularity of social gaming and esports, attracting a new generation of gamblers who value community and competition. Live dealer games, streamed directly to mobile devices, further bridge the gap between online and offline gambling, offering a more immersive and social casino experience. One major reason for the rapid evolution of the iGaming market is the surge in smartphone and internet penetration, with mobile casinos exerting a positive influence on market growth.

The percentage of e-commerce done on mobile devices is more significant than any other type of device. In 2016, global smartphone users were only 3.67 billion, accounting for 45% of the total population. The percentage of smartphone users in the United States has increased to 76.5%, a 3.8% rise from the previous year. In this report, we explore smartphone adoption trends globally and in the U.S., highlighting growth patterns, daily usage, and future projections.

• For instance, in January 2024, Lucky Block diversified its portfolio of online casinos by adding more than 150 live and interactive games with improved user engagement options.
• Players can look forward to hybrid experiences that combine live elements with automated features for versatility.
• In this report, we explore smartphone adoption trends globally and in the U.S., highlighting growth patterns, daily usage, and future projections.
• By May 2023, that number had reached 28, with several other states also considering launching legal mobile sports betting for their residents.

Mobile Gaming Trends

Moreover, they typically possess a deeper understanding of gambling strategies, odds, and game rules, making them more likely to engage in mobile gambling frequently. Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games are characterized by their persistent worlds, real-time interaction, and social engagement features such as guilds, events, and leaderboards. They account for nearly 40% of mobile gaming revenues, driven by competitive gameplay and strong monetization through subscriptions and in-app purchases. The US Mobile Games Market accounts for approximately 24% of the global share, with over 70% of the population engaging in mobile gaming activities.

What are the leading cloud gaming services?

Although it may not appear significant, this translates to nearly one billion new users. There are currently 6.8 billion smartphone users worldwide as of https://22betofficial.com/ 2023, projected to grow to 7.34 billion by 2025. Announced the launch of its online casino app and sportsbook launch in Michigan in partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The platform offers sports bettors a new experience using a deep and exhaustive array of bets. Additionally, the casino segment provides various games to cater to different player preferences, enhancing engagement and participation. The rapid proliferation of mobile technology appears to be reshaping the gambling landscape, fostering an environment where accessibility and convenience drive unprecedented engagement among users.

The rise of cryptocurrency-based gaming and mobile-friendly gaming websites has also supported market growth. Even so, regulatory ambiguity is still a challenge, whereby certain nations have stringent controls on online gambling while others consider the feasibility of legalizing it. AI-powered gaming experiences, VR-based casinos, and blockchain transactions are transforming the region’s digital gambling landscape.

Further, Al can support tracking possible addiction problems and negative patterns through users’ behavior. Many developers are integrating Al to offer preventive measures for handling gambling addiction. For instance, a responsible gambling analytics platform providing company, BetBuddy Limited, applied artificial intelligence to track users’ digital footprint and detect problematic gamblers.

What is cloud gaming?

By mapping growth drivers, restraints, and emerging opportunities, the coverage equips stakeholders with the strategic data required for market entry, expansion, and investment decisions. Europe online gaming industry dominated globally in 2024, accounting for over 41% of the global share. This leadership is largely attributed to widespread legalization, high-speed internet penetration, and the growing use of mobile gambling platforms. The region has seen a surge in mobile-based gambling activities, supported by robust internet infrastructure, increasing smartphone penetration, and rising consumer acceptance. The U.S. sports betting segment, in particular, continues to dominate regional revenues, bolstered by high-profile partnerships between sportsbooks and major leagues like the NFL and NBA.

While It is worth noting that 53% of children in the United States own a smartphone by the time they reach 11 years of age. Based on Slick Text’s findings, nearly half (45%) of students confess to being online all the time, even in class. Although this figure includes instances where one frantically searches their pockets for fear of a misplaced phone, smartphone owners, on average, tend to unlock their device at least 150 times daily.

The mobile games market report provides a comprehensive analysis covering market size, segmentation by type and application, and regional distribution. The study includes data on user engagement patterns, monetization strategies, and platform-specific performance. It analyzes over 60% of revenue contributions from in-app purchases, alongside 35% from ad-supported models. The report also highlights competitive landscapes, profiling top global players holding a combined market share exceeding 45%.

Secure and convenient payment gateways integrated into mobile platforms have made depositing and withdrawing funds effortless for gamblers. Options like e-wallets, mobile payment apps, and even cryptocurrency transactions are now commonplace, removing friction from the financial aspects of online gambling. This ease of payment contributes significantly to the appeal of mobile gambling, as users can manage their funds directly from their mobile devices. Several technological advancements have converged to create the perfect environment for mobile gambling to flourish.

Mobile gaming provides remote access, rewards for loyalty, a variety of deposit options, and multiplayer gaming, all of which contribute to its robust market growth. With increasing power in mobile devices, the trend towards on-the-go gambling is expected to continue. Augmented reality and virtual reality technologies are being incorporated into mobile gambling platforms to create immersive environments that go beyond standard screen interactions. These innovations allow players to experience virtual casino settings where they can walk around tables and interact with dealers in real-time.