Why Online Gambling Is Quietly Booming in Unexpected Countries

The Impact of Changes in Legislation and Regulation

As attitudes shift towards gambling, so do the surrounding laws and regulations. Governments are starting to realise the economic benefits that the gambling industry can have within a country. The gambling industry has been controlled in markets across the world by local taxation laws, regulatory frameworks and outright bans. Most industry innovation in recent years has occurred in European countries with a historically liberal approach to gambling.

Previously, in countries such as Japan and India, governments have been authoritarian in their approach to the gambling industry. Still, legalisation is gaining traction, which means many operators are now keeping a close eye on these markets due to the vast numbers of people who live there.

Ultimately, the fate of the iGaming industry relies on the governments within those regions where it has not been accepted. These governments have the power to change their laws to suit the needs of the gambling industry and help it flourish within these countries, or the opposite, and put regulations in place to stop residents from using it.

The Role of Mobile Technology and Digital Platforms

One key reason the gambling industry has begun to flourish in these regions is due to advancements in mobile technology and increased internet accessibility. As the use of smartphones with internet connectivity has become widespread and affordable, residents in countries where gambling was previously not popular have been able to access it with greater ease.

In countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, those partaking in gambling are primarily mobile users. This is because mobile phones are more affordable and easier to set up than their desktop and laptop counterparts. Operators have noticed this shift, as the majority of sites now incorporate HTML5 technology, so games and menus run more smoothly when using mobile casinos.

With technological innovations such as mobile wallets and cryptocurrencies, the funding of casino accounts has become more accessible to players in these countries. Some sites only allow payments linked to fiat currencies from specific countries. However, since cryptocurrencies are not regulated in the same way, players in restricted regions can easily transfer funds.

Shifting Cultural Attitudes Towards Gambling

Cultural attitudes towards gambling have undergone a massive change in the last few years. The activity is starting to be deemed a lot more acceptable in countries across the world. In certain countries, gambling was previously seen as a taboo subject. For example, in South Korea and Japan, gambling activities have historically been linked to criminal organisations. Still, with each generation, new viewpoints and opinions are formed, and gambling has become more acceptable in this part of the world.

In countries that have experienced an economic boom in recent years, this has resulted in increased disposable income for residents, some of which is spent on gambling-related activities. Players all around the world need to be aware of the responsible gambling tools available at online casinos to support them if they ever feel like their gambling habit is getting out of control. Reputable casinos and many established payment methods offer these tools.

Despite perceptions changing in countries such as Japan and nations within the Middle East, gambling is still a crime in these countries. In Japan, taking part in gambling is a punishable offence and will result in a fine of no less than JPY 500,000. Similarly, in the United Arab Emirates, those caught gambling will face fines of up to AED 20,000 and a potential two-year imprisonment.

Case Studies of Emerging Markets: The Unexpected Leaders

To gain a deeper understanding of the rise in global popularity of gambling, let’s examine specific countries.

Latin America

In Brazil, the gambling industry and the revenue it generates are expected to reach $3.9 billion by 2030, with a growth rate of 20.9% between 2020 and 2030. Currently, the Brazilian market dominates the online gambling industry in Latin America, and operators have taken notice, targeting specific sites towards players from the country. As many forms of gambling are still prohibited in Brazil, such as casino games, bingo, and table games, gambling sites are targeting specific areas of the industry towards Brazil, such as sports betting.

The gambling industry in Mexico sees a turnover of $10 billion per year. It is estimated that over 80 million people take part in online gambling activities, which is the majority of adults in the country. As of 2024, 87.8 million adults reside within the country. Although a vastly smaller population than Brazil, Mexico draws comparable gambling revenues each year. Gambling regulations are relatively relaxed compared to other Latin American countries, but are still heavily regulated to maintain control over the industry in the region.

Overall, the Latin American gambling market is projected to reach $10.4 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9% from 2025 to 2030.

Africa

The gambling industry is projected to reach a worth of $17.63 billion by 2025 in South Africa, Nigeria, and other African countries. Online gambling and its market were projected to reach $1.85 billion annually by 2024 and were expected to grow to $2.36 billion by 2028. By 2032, the gambling market is projected to reach $11.27 billion, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.06%. A report showed that 82.81% of Kenyan citizens have placed a bet before, followed by South Africa with 73.94%, and Nigeria with 65.32%.

There are no regulations governing online gambling in Kenya, despite an attempt to introduce a regulatory framework with the introduction of the Gambling Control Bill of 2023. This contrasts with South Africa, where the National Gambling Board regulates all forms of gambling. Similarly, in Nigeria, online gambling activities are regulated by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission.

As of 2023, it was registered that 300 million African citizens have access to a smartphone. This has contributed to the growth that the gambling industry has seen in recent years.

Asia

Revenue created by the Asian market has seen the most significant increase in recent years. In the Asia-Pacific region, the gambling market was estimated to be worth $35.99 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $54.66 billion by 2033.

As of 2024, China was the largest consumer of online gambling in Asia. However, the Philippines has surpassed them as the biggest consumer in the last year. Top provider Evolution has recently opened its first studio in Asia, located in Cebu, Philippines. The studio offers localised content to Filipinos and follows all regulations laid out by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

India has seen a vast economic boom in the last decade. They are currently credited with 6.4% of the global gambling market. The Indian market, similar to the American market, operates on a state-by-state basis, and online gambling laws vary depending on the location within the country.

Eastern Europe

Historically, Europeans have been the keenest consumers of the gambling industry, and most of the top casino providers are based in Scandinavian countries. Now, Eastern Europe is experiencing exponential growth in this sector. Statistics from Eastern Europe are scarce, but it is estimated that the Romanian gambling market is worth approximately $1.1 billion. Casino games, poker, and bingo are all regulated by the Romanian National Gambling Office, but sports betting remains completely unregulated within the country.

Poland is the largest economy in Eastern Europe, and the gambling industry there is projected to be worth $2.45 billion in 2025, with an expected CAGR of 7.01% by 2029. The Minister of Finance regulates all casinos in Poland.

As of 2025, the Czech Republic’s online gambling industry is valued at $1.17 billion, and it is projected to reach $1.73 billion by 2029. Gambling laws in the Czech Republic are controlled by the Ministry of Finance, the General Directorate of Customs and the Customs Office.