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Recent Trends in Gambling

smartphone dice chips

In this article on Casinoz, we will discuss the global online gaming landscape and try to identify some current trends. Statistics will help us because, after considering the past, we can predict the future.

We will tell you about trends in gambling. 

The percentage of female and older gamblers increases.

  • Nowadays, females compose 47% of American gamers, compared to 42% in 2012.
  • Yes, a 5% increase is relatively small, but this is an increase of more than 10% within two years.
  • There are also more female gamers: 29% of players in 2014 were over 50, compared to 21% in 2012.

In short, the gambling world's population is becoming increasingly diverse, and developers have already noticed that.

Gaming families have become standard.

The stereotype of single players does not work anymore! Players have grown, married, and had children, who have become new players, and now the whole family is playing.

Nowadays, more than a third of parents in the United States play games with their children at least once a week, and more than half of gamers play at least once a month.

  • 16% of children play with their parents,
  • 40% with friends,
  • 17% with their husband (wife),
  • and 34% with other family members.

Crypto Casinos are on the rise.

Cryptocurrency adoption in online casinos continues to expand. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins like USDT are widely accepted for deposits, withdrawals, and sometimes even wagers.

The key advantages include faster transactions, lower fees, and greater anonymity.

Some platforms are fully decentralized, running on blockchain technology, offering provably fair games and smart contract-based payouts.

Here are several Bitcoin casinos.

Casino Deposit methods Withdrawal methods Accepted currencies
+7
+6
$, €, ₽, ₴
+11
+10
$, €, ₽, C$, ¥, kr
+4
+3
$, €, ₽, KZT
+6
+6
$, €, ₽, KZT, C$, kr, zł, ₴
+9
+8
$, €, ₽
+9
+7
$, €, ₽
+6
+5
$, €, ₽
+11
+7
$, €, ₽, KZT, kr, zł
+1
+1
$, €, ₽, KZT, kr, zł, ₴, YTL
+6
+7
$, €, ₽, ₴

Live Dealer casinos continue evolving.

Live dealer casinos have transformed from simple streamed tables to highly interactive experiences. Advanced features include multi-camera angles, high-definition (HD) and 4K streaming, side bets, and even augmented reality (AR) elements.

Some providers are experimenting with AI-powered live dealers, while game show-style casino games like Crazy Time and Monopoly Live attract casual players.

AI and machine learning conquer the gambling industry.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a crucial role in multiple areas:

  1. Personalization – AI-driven algorithms analyze player behavior to offer customized bonuses, game recommendations, and betting limits.
  2. Fraud Detection – Machine learning models detect suspicious patterns, preventing collusion, money laundering, and account takeovers.
  3. Responsible Gambling – AI helps identify problem gambling behaviors in real time, prompting players with reminders, setting cooling-off periods, or recommending self-exclusion.

Mobile gambling expands.

More than 70% of online gambling revenue now comes from mobile devices. To meet this demand, online casinos and sportsbooks are optimizing their platforms for smartphones, introducing progressive web apps (PWAs), native apps, and mobile-friendly interfaces. Features like quick Apple Pay/Google Pay deposits and biometric logins enhance user convenience.

Types of gambling

Revenue from games and game content outstripped incomes from the film industry.

Revenue from sales of new games in the United States in 2014 was $24 billion. Meanwhile, revenue from distributing new films equals only $10 billion.

Thus, the game industry is currently a severe competitor of the entire TV/film industry.

Games are becoming more and more mobile.

The prevalence of mobile phones in the United States in 2014 was 101%, i.e., every American had at least one phone. If we consider that many mobile phones are now more powerful than the computers used in the 1990s, the growth of mobile gambling is clear and irreversible.

For example, in 2014, 48 million people in the United States chose to play on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets.

The more free games are appearing.

Many sites have recently started offering free versions of their popular games.

Marketing specialists have finally understood that people need to try the game and see if they want to play it for money. This is a significant advantage for the players.

Now, they have a wide variety of free games that can be played for fun without any financial risk.

The number of Internet users is guaranteed to grow.

On our beautiful planet, there are billions of people, but only about two and a half billion use the Internet. At the same time, the number of mobile users is now more than 6.5 billion worldwide! South Asia, Central America, the Middle East, and Africa are the most backward regions regarding Internet access, mainly due to a lack of broadband infrastructure. However, this situation is changing rapidly.

Let's finish with the trends and provide the statistics, especially considering that the gambling industry statistics for 2014 show interesting results regarding gaming habits and demographics worldwide.

Chips and dice on a laptop

Esports betting grows.

Betting on esports tournaments is no longer a niche activity. Games like Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, and Dota 2 now have dedicated betting markets. Bookmakers offer in-game live betting, and some platforms allow crypto wagers.

The younger demographic fueling esports betting is driving innovation, with AI-powered odds calculation and dynamic betting markets.

Provably fair gaming develops.

Blockchain technology is revolutionizing fair gaming with provably fair algorithms. In crypto casinos, players can verify game outcomes using cryptographic hashes. Popular provably fair games include dice, blackjack, and roulette.

Some platforms are moving toward full transparency, publishing return-to-player (RTP) stats and randomness verifications.

Hybrid gambling experiences are available in casinos.

The line between online and land-based gambling is blurring:

  • Virtual Reality (VR) Casinos – VR casinos like SlotsMillion VR and PokerStars VR offer immersive experiences where players can interact in a virtual gaming environment.
  • Retail Sportsbooks Going Digital – Physical sportsbooks are integrating digital kiosks, allowing seamless online-to-offline betting.
  • Online-Offline Bonuses – Some casinos offer cross-promotions where online play earns real-world rewards, such as hotel stays and dining discounts.

Casinos introduce personalized bonuses.

AI-driven, customized promotions are replacing traditional one-size-fits-all bonuses. Online casinos analyze playing habits to offer tailored rewards, such as cashback, VIP perks, or free spins on preferred slots.

Gamification elements like missions, leaderboards, and level-up systems are also becoming popular.

Stronger responsible gambling initiatives enter the market.

Governments and operators are increasing efforts to promote responsible gambling. New measures include:

  • AI-powered self-exclusion tools that detect risky behavior.
  • Deposit and wager limits set by players.
  • Reality checks and session reminders that notify users of play duration.
  • Mandatory affordability checks in some jurisdictions to prevent excessive gambling.

Gambling in the United States

  • 58% of Americans play video games;
  • the average age of players is 30 years;
  • 62% of all players are adults over 21 years old;
  • 45% of players are females;
  • 51% of families have at least one game console;
  • the average age of the buyer of games is 35 years;
  • 77% of gamers play at least one hour per week;
  • 36% of gamers play games on their smartphones;
  • 79% of parents set a time limit for their children for video games, while Internet usage is limited by 78% of parents, and TV watching is limited by 72%.

Keyboard dice game

Gambling in Other Countries

  • The average age of the English players is 35 years, more than 50% of them are males, the average time of the game is almost 3 hours per day;
  • in 2014, the worldwide gambling industry grew by 9% and now exceeds $76 billion. It is predicted that it will have reached more than $86 billion by 2016;
  • European gambling market composes almost $20 billion;
  • Japan and China are in the lead in mobile gambling,
  • Russia is also one of the major players, ranking 6th place in the world;
  • the gambling industry in India has grown in the past year by 16% and now earns $227 million;
  • 91% of people all over the world have mobile phones;
  • 56% of people have smartphones;
  • 50% of mobile phone owners use it as the primary device to access the Internet;
  • 80% of the working time on mobile devices is spent on applications or games;
  • 40% of game content sales are applications and games for mobile phones;
  • 120 000 individuals in 34 countries are engaged in the gambling industry;
  • 43% of tablet owners spend more time with their tablets than with TVs or computers, and 84% spend most of their time playing games on them.

Conclusion

A few years have passed since this article was published, but the same trends dominate gambling. People are increasingly playing online. Mobile devices are firmly entrenched in the industry. Free or partially free games have become commonplace. And so on.

Follow the news from the world of gambling together with Casinoz.

Frequently asked Questions

💹 How is cryptocurrency changing online gambling?

Cryptocurrency revolutionizes online gambling by offering fast, low-fee, and anonymous transactions. Many crypto casinos operate with blockchain technology, ensuring transparency and fair gaming. Players also benefit from decentralized betting platforms that eliminate intermediaries.

👨🏽‍🤝‍👨🏻 What’s new in live dealer casinos?

Live dealer casinos now offer high-definition (HD) and 4K streaming, multiple camera angles, interactive features like chat and side bets, and even augmented reality (AR) elements. Game show-style live games, such as Crazy Time and Monopoly Live, are also gaining popularity.

🤖 How is artificial intelligence (AI) being used in gambling?

Personalized recommendations – Custom bonuses and game suggestions based on player behavior. Fraud detection – Identifying suspicious transactions and collusion. Responsible gambling tools – Detecting problem gambling patterns and offering self-exclusion options.

📳 Why is mobile gambling growing so fast?

With over 70% of online gambling revenue coming from mobile devices, operators are optimizing their platforms for smartphones. Features like biometric logins, one-tap deposits, and native mobile apps enhance the user experience.

🌎 Which countries are legalizing online gambling?

The U.S. is expanding online sports betting state by state. European countries are tightening regulations but allowing licensed operators. Some Asian markets are cautiously exploring legalization, while others, like China, maintain strict bans.

🔫 What is esports betting, and why is it popular?

Esports betting allows players to wager on professional video game tournaments. Games like CS2, League of Legends, and Dota 2 have dedicated betting markets. Younger players drive this trend, and bookmakers offer live in-game betting and crypto-friendly wagering options.

🔥 What is provably fair gaming?

Provably fair gaming is a system used in blockchain-based casinos. In this system, players can verify the fairness of each game result using cryptographic hashes. This ensures transparency and prevents casinos from manipulating the system.

💻 How is technology bridging online and offline gambling?

VR casinos – Players can enter virtual environments and interact with dealers. Retail sportsbooks with digital features – Self-service kiosks and mobile integrations enhance land-based betting. Online-offline rewards – Online play can earn real-world perks, such as hotel stays and casino comps.

💲 How are casino bonuses becoming more personalized?

Casinos now use AI to tailor promotions based on a player’s habits. Instead of generic offers, players receive customized free spins, cashback, and VIP perks. Gamification, such as missions and level-up rewards, is also gaining traction.

👮‍♂️ What new responsible gambling measures are being introduced?

AI-powered systems detect problem gambling behavior. Players can set deposit and wagering limits. Reality checks and session reminders help players manage their playtime. Some jurisdictions require affordability checks to prevent excessive gambling.

Denis Anipchenko
Denis Anipchenko
Editor-in-chief and online gambling expert

Denis is a true professional with many years of experience in the gambling industry. His career started back in the late nineties when he worked as a croupier, pit boss, manager and casino manager. This unique experience allowed him to deeply understand the world of gambling from the inside. Since the late noughties Denis has dedicated himself to writing articles and analyses about gambling, and since the early tens he has become a key figure in the Casinoz team. Here he not only writes and edits content, but also creates reviews, shares his expertise and helps readers understand the intricacies of gambling. Denis combines practical experience and in-depth knowledge, making him one of the most respected experts in the industry. His writings are always up-to-date, proven and useful information for anyone interested in the casino world.

An expert in:
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Facts checked Alex Vasilev Scientific editor and fact checker
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