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Gambling Industry Statistics
Over recent years, there's been an explosive increase in gambling opportunities, making it a mainstream activity in Canada. This surge is predominantly fueled by technological advancements in the sector, including enhanced experiences in sports betting and interactive online slots.
Boasting over 19.3 million active participants, Canadians have propelled gambling into a forefront industry of their economy. Provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario have notably expanded their markets to embrace a diverse online gaming audience. Data reveals that Canada ranks eighth in terms of online gambling expenditure globally, with offshore platforms attracting at least C$4bn.
Canada's Comprehensive Gambling Market Overview
As a pivotal sector for Canada, online gambling facilitates significant capital flow. In 2020, the market's value stood at $12.75 billion, though it saw a reduction of $210 million in 2021. That same year, Canadian casino gains tallied $2.64b, with online segments generating 45% of this revenue. It's posited that the industry could realize greater earnings if not constrained by provincial licensing mandates.
The industry is marked by its diversity, welcoming numerous international investors, making it ripe with future potential for increased revenues. Major companies like Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, IGT, and PURE Canadian Gaming, all based in Toronto, stand as giants in the global casino landscape. This international interplay boosts revenue from both within Canada and abroad.
Casino participants worldwide equate to 26% of the global populace, equating to 2 billion and 80 million individuals. Within Canada, there are over 19.3 million engaged gamblers. Among them, at least 56% of men and 43% of women engage in online gaming. The number of participants is on the rise: up to two-thirds of Canadians older than 15 years reported gambling activities in 2022. Typically, involvement starts as early as 15 years of age and intensifies in one's early 20s; however, this might pose addiction risks. Studies frequently highlight that certain ethnicities, such as Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians, exhibit higher gambling prevalence.
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Top Gambling Countries Ranked
Recent statistics underscore an upward trajectory in the global gambling economy, which reached a hefty market size of $230.9 billion in 2021. It routinely surpasses market forecasts, evidenced by figures across various regions. Dominating the scene is Asia-Pacific with a GGR of $116.47bn, closely trailed by Europe and North America with €87.2bn and $29.98bn, respectively. Almost half of the global returns originate from online platforms.
Macao
In China, casino operations are strictly regulated and most live games and online gambling are outlawed. Yet, Macao (Macau), nestled in the Pearl River Delta and functioning as a special administrative zone, stands as a notable exception. Here, The Macao Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) oversees gambling operations, ensuring industry integrity while aiding the Chief Executive in formulating economic strategies.
Gambling in Macao is not just permitted; it constitutes a significant portion of the city's income, contributing around 50% of its revenue. In 2018, this gaming epicenter achieved $38 billion through its 43 casinos and vast online networks. Though recent fluctuations have been recorded, with infrastructure growth, increased local spending, and tourism surging, experts predicted a further escalation in 2023. Monthly proceeds have shown steady growth of 1.1% in the following pattern:
- January – $18,674 million,
- February – $19,521 million,
- March – $17,981 million,
- April – $17,341 million,
- May – $18,389 million.
Despite Macao's modest 680,000 populace, with the typical gambler being 36 years old, in 2012, authorities increased the legal gambling age from 18 to 21 to reinforce responsible gaming. However, gambling revenue has consistently held strong, affirming Macao's allure as a preferred global gaming hub, often dubbed the 'Asian Las Vegas' for its iconic casinos, blending traditional Chinese and Portuguese heritage with striking architecture.
Canada
The Canadian gambling landscape has undergone substantial enhancement over the years. Unlike the more restrictive Chinese model, Canada's liberal stance places gambling among its top economic contributors. The Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) oversees the licensing and regulation of online platforms within Canada.
Beyond its entertainment value, the gambling sect is a pivotal economic pillar, providing jobs and revenue across multiple provinces. Statistics reveal Canadian gambling revenues as high as $17.3 billion. In 2017, the sector saw a 4.9% boost, with over 35,000 gaming venues. As of 2019, nearly two-thirds of Canadians aged 15 or older participated in gambling activities, and 65% frequently engaged in lottery games.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the robust gambling scene is governed by the UK Gambling Commission which effectively moderates online and physical casinos. Post-regulatory changes in 2005 sparked industry growth prompted by governmental legalization initiatives. During the span of 2014-2015, the British gambling landscape flourished with over 170,000 interactive slot machines and 162 new online casinos, producing a revenue influx of $15.17 billion.
A significant segment of UK gamblers resides within the 45-54 age range, with the young adult category (18-24 years) being the least represented. Weekly participation in gambling activities encapsulates around 32% of the population.
Australia
Australia hosts a formidable gambling industry landscape, both supported by local sports incentives and a flourishing online trading market while leveraging a steady stream of Asian tourists frequenting its physical casinos. The regulatory framework is decentralized, granting each state authority to license operators. Companies like Tatts and Tabcorp lead in lottery and sports betting sectors.
Australia observes an 18+ age restriction, encompassing 80% of the nation's populace within its gambling community. The demographic breakdown indicates a majority are aged 45 and older, with males constituting 43.2%, females at 35.2%, and 21.6% classified as 'Others.' Australia's annual online gambling expenditure approximates $18 billion, with a 2013-2014 industry valuation towering at $116 billion.
United States of America
In the United States, while gambling is federally permissible, each state retains authority to regulate or prohibit gambling practices. Diverse legal gambling models, like commercial and tribal casinos, sports and parimutuel betting, or state-sanctioned lotteries, are embraced by various states. The online gambling and betting segment finds itself often curtailed by statewide bans despite its profitable stance elsewhere. Nevertheless, the latter stands poised for legalization, amplified by the burgeoning appeal of Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS).
Notably, New Jersey and Nevada have sanctioned on-ground casinos alongside selective online games. Conversely, Florida and California boast vibrant poker cultures despite its partial illegality. Pennsylvania's recent approval of online and traditional gambling marks a significant advancement, highlighting the US's evolving regulatory outlook.
America's gambling sphere amasses a colossal $261 billion, providing livelihoods to over 1.8 million people. Unregulated gambling adds an additional $511 billion in annual stakes, as reported by the American Gaming Association
The U.S. mandates a minimum gambling age of 21 years, with a significant number of participants in the 30-44 age category. In 2010, the U.S. was home to 438 commercial casinos, which increased to 524 by 2016, before settling at 468 by 2022. Predictions for 2023 indicate a rise in online casinos joining the American betting landscape, driven by law modernization.
Intriguing Facts About the Global Gambling Arena
Numbers highlight that gambling perpetually gains in momentum, continually captivating the global economic landscape.
Worst players
Poland is recorded as the least lucrative state for gross gambling revenue (GGR), with $1.81 billion in 2018. Australia, boasting a large populace, clocks the highest per capita gambling losses. Malta, a petite Mediterranean isle, faces significant per-head gambling losses yet houses a noted gambling regulator along with prominent online platforms and their affiliates.
Best gamblers
In 2021, China generated an astounding $46.01 billion from gambling activities, outpacing all others in this domain. The USA followed with $40.54 billion, while Japan recorded $22.09 billion. Italy led the European gambling revenues, bringing in €18.1 billion in 2019. Germany and France also saw impressive GGRs of €14.3 billion and €12.2 billion, respectively.
COVID-19 impact
When the pandemic first struck, Canada, much like various other nations, imposed stringent lockdowns, leading to the shutdown of traditional casinos. This pushed the industry into a rapid evolution, pivoting towards online gambling platforms. Players who regularly visited physical casinos began to seek the digital realm to fulfill their gaming needs. According to European statistics, the pandemic restrictions caused a noticeable 13% drop in gambling market income compared to 2019.
Most Popular Casino Games
The gaming world has experienced a steady transformation thanks to technological innovations, making certain games more appealing based on players' tastes. Other types of gambling, such as sports betting, boast a rich history and retain widespread popularity across genders and age groups.
Slots: Slot machines enjoy immense popularity among both male and female players, with recent data indicating a surge in interest. As reported by Statista, nearly half of US casino enthusiasts enjoy playing slots. Among women who gamble, slots rank third in popularity after online bingo and sports betting. Notably, mobile and online slot games have created substantial payouts via progressive jackpots, awarding lucky winners with up to $7 million in recent years.
Poker: Recognized as a classic table game, poker holds a strong following among North American, African, and Asian players. A survey of regular male gamblers reveals that nearly a third favor poker, especially in its online form. In contrast, less than a fifth of female gamblers partake in this game. Surprisingly, the primary age group for online poker enthusiasts is 25-34. Meanwhile, in Europe, poker makes up a mere 5% of the online gambling market. Conversely, Australia is noteworthy for its large poker-playing community.
Lottery: In areas where traditional casinos and betting are banned, lotteries remain a legal and popular option. This might explain its rank as the second most favored gambling activity in Europe. Ontario, a Canadian province, finds lottery ticket sales highly lucrative, amassing 4000 billion CAD. The average lottery enthusiast in Canada is over the age of 55. Fifteen years ago, half of US citizens reported participating in lotteries, and recent stats indicate a 6% rise in dedicated lottery players.
Bingo: Historically considered a female-dominated hobby with 60% of female UK gamblers participating, bingo has seen a surge among men due to online gaming. However, bingo's popularity isn’t consistent across Europe, where it holds less than 5% of the market. Approximately 1.6 billion individuals engage with bingo several times weekly.
Sports betting: Unlike bingo, sports betting has traditionally been dominated by male participants, with 73% of surveyed UK online bettors being men. However, now over 40% of British female gamblers also engage in sports betting, leading to nearly 60% of regular gamers of both genders enjoying this pastime largely skewed towards those aged 55 and above. Overall, sports betting dominates the European gambling scene with a 42.5% market share, surpassing other activities due to fluctuating local gambling regulations.
Below you can find a table showcasing the percentage distribution of respondents and their gambling preferences in 2023:
| Age range | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55+ |
| Lottery game | 20 | 24 | 35 | 46 | 51 |
| Sports betting | 15 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 |
| Online slots | 16 | 21 | 22 | 16 | 11 |
| Online casino table/card games | 11 | 23 | 18 | 10 | 10 |
Mobile Gambling Statistics Canada
A hub of technological advancements, Canada boasts a plethora of online casinos. The ever-increasing number of gambling sites is mirrored by a growing number of gamblers, which is on track to hit 20.38 million by 2027. The penetration rate among users is projected to hit 51% by the same year. Meanwhile, the global arena for mobile gambling is set to swell, with forecasts predicting it will see $53.75 billion by 2025 and reach $123.6 billion by 2027. Notably, casino games were downloaded 12.78 million times on mobile devices in 2022, according to Statista.
Canada's gambling sector pulls in $2.64 billion in revenue, with an impressive $1.2 billion portion coming from online gaming, making it the largest contributor at 45%. The ever-growing draw of online gambling is apparent, with more participants from both genders diving in.
The devices most frequently used for online betting include personal computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. Statistics reveal that 55% of women engaging in online gambling use their mobile phones, surpassing the number of men who do so.
Canadian gamblers typically indulge in online activities between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. as well as from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Moreover, 46% of Canadians disclose spending 4-5 hours glued to their phones, heightening the risk of developing gambling disorders. Additionally, research highlights that younger adults between the ages of 18 and 24 spend more time gambling via mobile compared to those over 65, with 75% being among the former. On the flip side, bingo's social nature has captured the attention of Generation Z.
With the widespread access to affordable Internet and mobile gadgets, most people can effortlessly connect to online casinos. For those looking to recreate the experience of a land-based casino, live online casinos with real-time dealers are an option. Looking ahead, virtual reality integration in online casino games is a foreseeable development that will elevate the gaming experience and draw even more time and attention online.
Conclusion
Presenting a rapidly booming industry, gambling is anticipated to surpass $112.09 billion by 2025, with growth rates climbing to $53.75 billion by 2025. Increasing enthusiasm from middle-aged users and breakthroughs in tech ensure its sustained role in the global economy.
The gradual shift from brick-and-mortar casinos to digital gaming and mobile platforms is prominently visible. The ease, broad reach, and expansive offer of online gambling have made it an appealing choice for players worldwide. Innovative features like live dealers and enriching experiences capture the ambiance of traditional casinos, merging the best of both worlds.
In summary, the path forward in gambling is digital, heralded by tech advancements and revamped user experiences, making the realm of casino gaming more thrilling and dynamic than ever.
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