The North American online gambling market is on a roll in 2025. Data shows it hit around $16.56 billion in 2024, and projections suggest a compound annual growth rate of 12.2% through 2030.
This surge is tied to changing attitudes toward gambling in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
The market could more than double over the next decade, maybe even reaching $31.14 billion by 2034. It’s kind of wild how much legalization efforts are fueling this, opening doors for both established players and new investors.
People are leaning toward digital options, and mobile gambling is really catching on. Sports betting and online casino games are doing especially well, thanks to tech making everything more accessible for just about everyone.
Overview of the North American Gambling Market in 2025
In 2025, the North American gambling market is a major economic player, with big revenue projections and a ton of opportunities across both traditional and online spaces. There’s constant evolution thanks to regulatory changes, tech advances, and shifting consumer tastes.
Market Size and Revenue Growth
By the end of 2025, the North American gambling market is expected to hit about $149.25 billion in revenue. That’s a healthy growth curve, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70% predicted from 2025 to 2029.
Casino gambling is a huge chunk of that, projected at $110.46 billion in 2025, and it should keep growing at a 6.68% CAGR to reach $152.62 billion by 2030.
Online gambling is growing even faster, with the North American online market valued at $21.58 billion in 2025. This segment is on track for a hefty 12.26% CAGR through 2033.
Key Market Segments
The 2025 North American gambling market breaks down into a few main segments:
Traditional Casino Gambling:
- Resort-style casinos
- Regional casinos
- Tribal gaming
Online Gambling:
- Sports betting platforms
- Online casinos
- iGaming and poker sites
- Mobile betting apps
Online gambling, in particular, is gaining serious momentum as more states and provinces legalize it. Heavyweights like DraftKings, MGM Resorts, 888 Holdings, Flutter Entertainment, and Caesars pretty much run the show on both sides—brick-and-mortar and digital.
Regional Analysis: United States and Canada
The U.S. dominates North American gambling, with state-level regulation constantly shaping the market. States like Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are already well-established, while other regions are catching up as laws change.
Canada’s gambling market is steadily growing, especially online. Provincial rules are all over the place, but Ontario is leading the charge with market liberalization and a regulated online framework.
Both countries are seeing benefits like:
- More tax revenue
- Job growth in hospitality and tech
- Boosted tourism in casino hotspots
- New infrastructure around gambling centers
Legalization and Regulatory Landscape
Legal frameworks are shifting fast, and that’s changing how the North American gambling market works. The U.S. and Canada are both updating their regulations, which is opening up opportunities for operators and setting new consumer protection standards.
Recent Legalization Efforts and Trends
Sports betting has exploded since the 2018 Supreme Court decision that killed PASPA. Now, over 30 U.S. states allow some form of legal sports betting.
Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey have gone all-in with online gambling, including casino games and poker.
Canada made a big move in 2021 by letting provinces regulate single-event sports betting. Ontario’s regulated online gambling market opened in April 2022, and it’s attracted lots of international operators.
The online market hit $16.56 billion in 2024 and is set to grow at a 12.2% CAGR through 2030. Legalization efforts are definitely fueling that.
Regulatory Differences Across States and Provinces
Regulation is a mixed bag across North America. Some states, like New Jersey and Pennsylvania, have comprehensive frameworks for online casinos, poker, and sports betting. Others stick to retail-only betting or just lottery games.
Tax rates are all over the place:
- Pennsylvania: 36% tax on online casino revenue
- New Jersey: 15% for online casino
- Colorado: 10% on sports betting
In Canada, Ontario lets private operators compete, while British Columbia and Quebec stick to government-run models.
Operators have their hands full trying to keep up with the patchwork of rules and compliance requirements.
Responsible Gambling Initiatives
Consumer protection is getting more attention, and regulators are pushing for responsible gambling. Self-exclusion programs let people block themselves from all participating platforms.
Mandatory features now include things like:
- Deposit limits and cooling-off periods
- Reality checks and session time limits
- Player verification to stop underage gambling
The American Gaming Association’s “Have A Game Plan” campaign is all about responsible sports betting. States are also funneling some gambling tax revenue into problem gambling treatment.
Operators like DraftKings, MGM, and Caesars are using AI to spot risky gambling behavior and step in when needed.
Technological Advancements and User Experience
Tech is completely reshaping the North American gambling scene in 2025. Digital platforms, payment options, and immersive tech are making gambling more engaging and easier to access for everyone.
Mobile Gambling and On-the-Go Gaming
Mobile gambling is king now. By 2025, over 65% of online gambling happens on mobile.
With 5G, latency is a thing of the past, so live betting is smooth even on the go. Apps are smarter now, offering personalized picks based on your habits.
Big operators are all-in on mobile, making sure their apps work across devices and sync in the cloud. That way, you can switch from phone to tablet or desktop without missing a beat.
Geofencing tech has improved, so bets only happen where it’s legal. It’s surprisingly seamless.
Innovations in Gambling Platforms
Digital gambling platforms have leveled up with AI-powered features. Now, predictive analytics serve up personalized game suggestions.
Interfaces are cleaner, and signup is a breeze—it takes about three minutes now, down from eight in 2023.
Security is tight:
- Multi-factor authentication
- Behavioral biometrics
- Real-time fraud detection
- Transparent fairness algorithms
You can use all sorts of payment methods, from cards to digital wallets, and withdrawals are usually processed in hours, not days.
Cross-platform integration means you can jump between sports betting, casino games, and poker with one account and wallet.
Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrencies
Blockchain is shaking up payment security and transparency in online gambling. More North American platforms now accept cryptocurrency payments alongside the usual options.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, and gambling tokens are gaining ground. In Q1 2025, about 22% of all gambling deposits in regulated markets were crypto.
Blockchain perks include:
- Provably fair games
- Fast deposits and withdrawals
- Lower fees
- More privacy
- Smart contracts for instant payouts
Regulators are starting to catch up, with some states allowing licensed operators to take crypto under set guidelines.
Smart contracts are even enabling new bet formats, where everything settles automatically based on real-world results.
Immersive Technologies: Virtual and Live Casino Experiences
Virtual and augmented reality are finally making casino games feel like the real thing. With VR headsets, players can walk through 3D casino environments and interact with others.
Live dealer games are sharper than ever, with HD streams, multiple camera angles, and real-time chat. The atmosphere is pretty close to being there in person.
Game graphics are stunning, with realistic physics for cards, dice, and roulette wheels. Even smartphones now offer 360-degree casino views and live dealer games with surprisingly good visuals.
Key Market Trends and Segments
The North American gambling market is moving fast, with trends like mobile dominance and expanding sports betting shaping the future. Regulatory changes are opening up new states and provinces to legal gambling.
Online Gambling Market Trends
Online gambling in North America is set for big growth between 2025 and 2030. Forecasts look strong, thanks to new tech and people’s changing habits. Mobile has overtaken desktop as the go-to platform for gambling.
Convenience is everything now—players want gambling to fit into their daily routines. That’s pushed operators to double down on mobile app development.
E-sports betting is one of the fastest-growing areas. The online gambling crowd is also getting younger, with more adults in their twenties and thirties jumping in.
Sports Betting and Online Casinos
Sports betting is a powerhouse since PASPA was repealed in 2018. More states are legalizing it, and in-play/live betting is a big draw for folks who want more action.
Online casinos are booming too—slots and table games are raking in revenue. Platforms are adding cool features like:
- Live dealers
- 3D gaming environments
- Social gaming
- Loyalty programs and gamification
Fantasy sports sites are popular with fans who like skill-based games. There’s also a growing overlap between sports media and betting, opening up fresh revenue streams.
Expanding Markets: Poker, Bingo, and Lotteries
Other verticals are finding their groove online. Poker has made a comeback, helped by interstate player pools that boost participation.
Digital lottery options are getting a makeover. Mobile apps let players:
- Buy tickets instantly
- Set up subscriptions
- Get notified about wins
- Play exclusive digital games
Bingo is pulling in new crowds with modern themes and social features. These segments, once overlooked, are now adding real value to the market.
Operators are increasingly bundling multiple gambling products on a single platform. It’s a smart move for keeping players engaged and boosting average spend.
Competitive Landscape and Strategic Developments
Competition is fierce in the North American gambling world. Established brands and new players are all scrambling for a bigger slice of the pie, using acquisitions, clever marketing, and tech innovation to get ahead.
Leading Operators and Market Share
DraftKings Inc. and FanDuel (which is owned by Flutter Entertainment) are still running the show in online sports betting. Together, they’re holding onto about 65% of the market in 2025.
DraftKings has been on a bit of a tear lately, grabbing a 29% share. FanDuel’s still on top, though, sitting at 36%—hard to argue with those numbers.
MGM Resorts International, through its BetMGM partnership with Entain Plc, sits comfortably in third place with around 15%. Not too shabby, honestly.
888 Holdings Plc has made some moves too, especially after snapping up William Hill’s non-US assets. That’s definitely helped boost their profile.
Over in the casino gambling world, Penn Entertainment Inc. is making waves. The full integration of Barstool Sports into its operations seems to be paying off.
Churchill Downs, Inc.? They’ve gone well beyond horse racing these days, picking up a bigger share of the online casino pie.
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships
The first half of 2025 has been pretty wild for consolidation in the North American gambling scene. Flutter Entertainment finally bought out the rest of FanDuel, locking in its control and, presumably, peace of mind.
MGM Resorts and Entain Plc have doubled down on their BetMGM partnership. They’ve tossed in another $300 million, aiming to beef up their tech and pull in more customers.
Penn Entertainment’s been busy, too. They picked up a mid-sized regional casino operator, so they’re clearly eyeing growth in newly regulated states.
Media tie-ups are everywhere now. DraftKings is keeping things going with ESPN, while FanDuel has inked fresh deals with some of the big sports leagues.
Operators are also rushing to partner with specialists for payments, fraud checks, and responsible gambling tech. There’s a real sense that nobody wants to get left behind on the tech front.
Marketing and Expansion Strategies
Operators in 2025 have really changed up their marketing playbooks. Instead of just chasing new customers, there’s way more focus on keeping the ones they’ve already got.
DraftKings, for example, managed to cut its customer acquisition cost by 18%. At the same time, they’re seeing stronger lifetime value numbers.
Content marketing? It’s honestly become a huge deal. FanDuel’s been pouring money into original shows and interactive betting guides.
These days, you’ll find that most big operators are putting 30-40% of their marketing budgets into digital content creation. It’s a pretty bold shift, if you ask me.
Expansion Priorities by Top Operators:
- DraftKings: Eyeing that California market, finally.
- FanDuel: Doubling down on iGaming in Michigan and Pennsylvania.
- BetMGM: Working on cross-selling between their retail and online players.
- Penn Entertainment: Trying to hook younger crowds by rolling out more social features.
Loyalty programs are getting more clever, too. MGM, for instance, is using its resort properties to give players experiences you just can’t get with purely online brands.
