In today's rapidly evolving information technology landscape, the internet gambling industry is expanding at an unprecedented pace. Especially against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more users are turning to online platforms, further driving the growth of this industry. This article will delve into the development trends of overseas internet gambling and analyze the potential social issues it may bring.
1. The Rapid Development of Internet Gambling
In recent years, the internet gambling industry has rapidly developed worldwide. Data shows a significant growth in the overall value of internet gambling in the past few years. According to related data, the total value of internet gambling in 2020 was $60 billion, while the offline gambling total value was $100 billion, making the internet gambling value only 60% of the offline gambling total value; by 2021, internet gambling had reached $75 billion, while offline gambling totaled only $85 billion, making the internet gambling value equivalent to 88% of the offline value. It is expected that the global internet gambling industry will break through the $100 billion mark by 2025. At the same time, the annual growth rate of offline gambling is 5%, further narrowing the gap between internet and offline gambling.
Table 1: Global Gambling and Internet Gambling Market Value (Unit: Billion USD)
Table 2: Internet Gambling Value and Percentage by Type (Unit: Billion USD)
In terms of different types of internet gambling sub-markets, sports betting had a market share of over 50% in 2020. Despite a decrease in 2021, it remains the largest game type in internet gambling. Online casinos were the second most popular internet gambling game, accounting for 30% of the internet gambling market in 2021.
2. Major Regional Internet Gambling Markets
Table 3: 2021 Internet Gambling Market Value and Percentage by Region (Unit: Billion USD)
USA: The development of internet gambling in the USA is very rapid, with internet gambling revenue increasingly contributing to the overall gambling revenue. In 2021, the total slot machine revenue in the USA increased by only 2% compared to 2020, and table game revenue only increased by 3%, while overall gambling industry growth (excluding lotteries) was only 5%, but internet gambling revenue increased by 25%. In 2021, the revenue from internet gambling in the USA was about $20 billion, equating to 133% of the table game revenue of $15 billion in 2020. If mobile sports betting is considered part of internet gambling, then internet gambling (mobile sports betting and general internet gambling) accounted for 40% of the total gambling revenue ($50 billion) in the USA. New Jersey is the largest internet gambling market in the USA, with revenue from internet gambling in New Jersey accounting for about 20% of the national internet gambling revenue in 2021. Therefore, the growth trend of internet gambling in New Jersey in the past shows the prospects for growth in internet gambling.
