Where in the World do People Gamble the Most?

Gambling is a popular form of entertainment around the world. 26% of the world's population has tried this type of leisure activity at least once in their lives.

The most common forms of gambling are lotteries, scratch cards, casinos, cards, and sports betting.

However, the online gambling industry is growing at the fastest rate: in 2022, it was valued at $249 billion and is expected to grow to $263.3 billion by the end of 2025.

Nevertheless, player activity and their contribution to these figures vary from country to country. Read below to find out which nations love gambling the most.

United States

The United States is the most involved country in gambling, with a record number of winnings each year. 85% of American adults have gambled at least once, and about 40% visit land-based casinos at least once a year.

This is also where the largest number of gambling establishments are located — more than 2,000 across the country, including some of the largest in the world. For example, WinStar World Casino and Resort, located near the border between Oklahoma and Texas, is the largest casino on the planet, covering an area of more than 400,000 square meters and offering players over 10,000 different slot machines.

One cannot ignore the phenomenon of Las Vegas, which has long been considered the world center of gambling and has firmly established itself in popular culture in this role.  Las Atlantis Casino is the best brand, where you will find everything you need to enjoy the game.

Casinos have been legal in Canada since 1999, and the involvement of local residents in gambling is constantly growing: today, 60% of the country's adult citizens play every month. More than 19.3 million active gamblers spend over $4 billion annually on gaming sites and $16 billion in local establishments.

An interesting fact is the loyalty of local legislation to the industry. For example, the Canadian government does not levy taxes on gambling winnings. The only exception is professional players who earn their living from gambling.

Europe

In 2024, revenues from commercial games, including casinos, exceeded $60 billion for the first time, making gambling an important sector of the US economy.

The gambling industry in Germany is one of the fastest growing in Europe. 24.2% of Germans have placed a bet on sports at least once in the last 12 months, and 21.6% regularly participate in lotteries. Online casinos in the country are at the peak of their popularity thanks to the legalization of gambling and the introduction of new laws regulating the industry.

The German iGaming market is expected to grow to €3.3 billion by 2025. As in the rest of the world, Germans often play slots, although they prefer card games such as blackjack and baccarat.

United Kingdom

Gambling in the UK has a long and rich history: it was here in the 17th century that sports betting originated, and today it is home to some of the world's most popular online casino developers.

The country has been a major player in the gambling industry for many years and shows no signs of slowing down in 2023. 43% of the population participates in gambling every month, and the average online gambler spends £135.2 per year.