Growth of Mobile Gambling: Key Data and Trends
Procedural generation isn’t new (games have auto-generated levels for decades), but now AI can assist in creating art, writing dialogue, generating code, and even designing gameplay. An important 2023 development was Unity’s attempted change to its pricing/runtime fee, which sparked outrage among developers and led some to consider Unity alternatives (Unity partly walked back the changes). Game development in recent years has been marked by tighter budgets for non-AAA titles, developer layoffs, and the increasing use of AI. The average time spent gaming has increased somewhat in recent years but varies by demographic.
- Notably, average game prices ticked up to $70 for new AAA releases on PS5/Xbox Series X|S, reflecting increased development costs.
- Operators face a 20% GGR tax, but the Gaming Commission of Ghana provides a relatively clear regulatory environment compared to some neighbors.
- Regional breakdowns show Asia-Pacific leading with 50% of global share, followed by North America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa.
- According to Zippia’s study, it has been found that the average smartphone users check their phone at least 96 times per day in the United States.
Current statistics on this topic
Although most Americans depend on their smartphones for internet access, there is a growing trend among wealthier individuals to do the same. Given the growing dependence on mobile devices, it’s reasonable to expect that this percentage will continue to rise in the coming years. Furthermore, 62% of millennials listen to music on their smartphones, and 54% play games.
Europe Online Gambling Market Trends
PC gaming is popular in Asia and Eastern Europe, while console gaming is strong in North America, Europe, and Japan. In the U.S., for example, 70% of players game on smartphones, ~50% on consoles, and ~40% on PC (with overlap) according to recent surveys. Also, as noted, platform-wide subscriptions (Game Pass, PS Plus Extra) are a major value proposition, letting players access a library instead of buying games outright. Subscription revenues are now a significant part of the business model for publishers, smoothing the traditionally hit-driven income.
Beat Saber (a rhythm lightsaber game) remains VR’s best-selling title (well over 5 million copies sold) and a system-seller on Quest/PSVR. Despite these devices, VR adoption has been slower https://22betofficial.com/ than hoped – global VR headset shipments fell ~12% in 2024 (the third straight year of decline). After a slight dip in 2022, PC game revenue grew ~+4% in 2024 (to ~$43B) as supply of GPUs improved and hit games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Diablo IV drove spending.
The cloud gaming user experience is improving with faster internet and 5G, but challenges remain in bandwidth costs and game licensing. Regarding the data we have, 212 out of 377 online casinos DO NOT have a mobile app for Android and iOS. What’s interesting is that all 377 operators have a mobile version of their desktop website.
Everyone who has been involved in the online gambling space in some shape or form knows the importance of mobile gambling. Organizations dedicated to RG provide valuable resources and support for individuals who may be struggling with gambling-related issues. For example, the National Council on Problem Gambling offers helplines and educational resources aimed at promoting responsible gambling practices.