Mobile Gaming Industry Key Statistics 2023 Market Size

As a result, the market is projected to reach 74.5 USD Million in 2024, with expectations of further expansion as these technologies evolve. This trend indicates that the Global Mobile Gambling Market Industry is likely to attract a broader audience, enhancing user engagement and retention. Middle East & Africa’s mobile games market is expanding rapidly, with over 60% of new users entering through low-cost smartphones.

Compared to previous years, 48% of the online sales during Black Friday 2022 were made through smartphones. According to the same study, 76% of respondents primarily use their smartphones for surfing the Internet, while 73% use them for mapping or navigation. For a complete picture of how much time people spend on screens globally, check out our deep research in screen time statistics. Approximately 7.21 billion people use smartphones globally, representing about 90% of the world’s population, which is around 8 billion.

The convergence of mobile gambling with other forms of digital entertainment, such as esports, social gaming, https://22betofficial.com/ and streaming services, is another emerging trend. Operators are exploring opportunities to integrate gambling into these platforms, creating more holistic and engaging entertainment experiences. For example, we may see more social casino games with real-money gambling options, or betting markets integrated directly into esports streaming platforms. This convergence could attract new audiences to mobile gambling and blur the lines between different forms of online entertainment. Most online casinos and sportsbooks that have obtained a licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) offer dedicated apps, enabling easy gambling on the go for both Android and iOS users. That further boosts the popularity of mobile gambling among UK players, with more than half of online gamblers choosing to place their bets using mobile devices.

Asia-Pacific

Data privacy remains a priority with platforms implementing strict measures to handle personal information securely. The result is a more efficient gambling experience that feels unique to each individual without compromising on fairness. China, Japan, and South Korea lead the sector, with 70% of mobile gaming revenue generated in this region. Esports participation is highest in Asia-Pacific, with 80% of global esports prize pools distributed across tournaments in China and South Korea.

What was the value of the Mobile Games market in 2024?

North America held a market size of USD 10.77 Billion in 2025, representing 25% of the total market. This segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.1% from 2025 to 2034, driven by premium game releases, high smartphone adoption, and advanced mobile payment ecosystems. The future of mobile gambling is bright, with continued growth and innovation anticipated. Technological advancements will continue to shape the industry, with further integration of VR/AR, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain technologies expected. AI could personalize gambling experiences, detect problem gambling behaviors, and enhance security.

This demographic shows high daily active engagement and contributes significantly to esports participation, with over 35% of competitive mobile gamers falling into this age bracket. Africa’s gaming market in 2026 offers both unprecedented opportunities and clear challenges. South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ghana stand out as leading destinations for gaming operators, each with unique strengths in mobile adoption, consumer engagement, and regulatory progress. Rising internet penetration, cheaper smartphones, and broader fintech integration are making digital platforms more accessible than ever.

This was due to Valve removing the crowdfunding approach that had once made TI prize pools $40M+. In 2024’s GDC (Game Developers Conference), “AI in games” was a hot topic, with talks on using AI for quality assurance (bug finding bots), level design suggestions, and artwork upscaling. Games from Fortnite to Call of Duty to mobile RPGs now offer passes that refresh every month or quarter.

One key observation is the shift toward gamification elements that reward consistent play with points and levels. This strategy draws from video game design principles to make gambling more appealing on mobile devices. Projections based on current patterns suggest that by 2030 mobile will account for 80 percent of the global gambling market. Comparative analysis between regions shows Asia leading in adoption rates followed by Europe and North America.

Several countries in Europe (Belgium, Netherlands) have banned loot boxes in games or restricted them, forcing companies to alter game mechanics in those regions. In the U.S., there’s no federal ban yet, but bills have been proposed and the ESRB requires disclosures. Global mobile ad spend on games is billions annually, and ad rates (eCPMs) saw growth in 2024 as marketers returned post-IDFA slump. F2P games (which are free upfront and make money via in-game purchases or ads) generate the majority of revenue in the industry. By 2024, Microsoft reported over 10 million people had streamed games via Xbox Cloud Gaming (often as part of Game Pass Ultimate), and NVIDIA’s GeForce Now reached 25 million registered users.

According to Oberlo, over the past decade, the proportion of global web traffic on mobile phones has significantly increased.
Even if a virtual casino or sportsbook does not offer a dedicated app, however, that is rarely an issue for most mobile gamblers.
The legalization of online sports betting and iGaming in several states, such as New York and Ohio, have strongly propelled market revenue.
This demographic shift is significant for the industry, as it represents a new generation of gamblers with different preferences and expectations.
Multiplayer and battle royale formats have experienced a 30% rise in active players, driven by enhanced graphics and cross-platform capabilities.

Smartphone adoption is high, and mobile internet is the primary access point for most citizens. Regulators impose a 20% tax on sports betting and 30% on other gambling activities, but the scale of participation keeps the market attractive. While only 44% of the population owns smartphones, the overall mobile penetration rate stands at 85%, making the digital market massive.