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International Online Gambling Trends in 2025
The online gambling market worldwide is constantly evolving and experiencing growth, mostly due to changes in consumers' behaviour and needs. Markets that are unregulated, along with regions benefiting from improved internet connectivity, are now actively embracing online gambling! Fueling further international expansion and innovation this year.
Statista’s Gambling Worldwide Market Forecast report states, “Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2029) of 3.40%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$538.82bn by 2029.”
They also state that the United States will generate most of the revenue and that the number of gambling users is expected to amount to 977.3m by 2029.
Let's examine the trends in the international gambling market below in more detail.
Increased Online Gambling Regulation
Many countries are implementing stricter licensing and taxation of gambling, whether land-based or online. More and more countries are creating legislation specific to their needs, and regulations might differ from country to country. Governments are also enforcing responsible gambling measures, including self-exclusion programs. An emerging market expansion can be noticed - Asia, Africa, and Latin America will drive most of the industry’s growth. Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa lead the continent’s betting boom, especially in mobile sports betting. In the US, over 30 states have legalised sports betting, and more are considering online casinos.
Did you know? Many countries use gambling as a boost to their economy. Read more about this in our article on how gambling laws shape tourism and drive economic growth, and learn how different countries achieve this.
Expansion of Sports Betting
More countries are legalising online casinos and sports betting, especially in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. More markets, including the U.S. and Brazil, are opening up to regulated sports betting. There is an Esports Betting Boom - games like CS:GO, Dota 2, League of Legends drive esports gambling growth, especially with younger audiences. Esports betting attracts Gen Z players who prefer digital experiences over traditional sports betting. The global esports betting market is expected to reach $20 billion by 2027.
Mobile Gambling and AI
Most gambling revenue now comes from smartphones, with app-based betting and mobile casinos becoming dominant. Driven by mobile adoption, the online gambling market is projected to reach $150 billion by 2030.
Artificial intelligence is becoming more popular, including in the gambling industry. AI-powered gambling platforms can track betting behaviour and offer responsible gaming alerts to at-risk players. Casinos use AI to tailor offers and recommend games based on player behaviour. AI also helps detect gambling addiction patterns and prevent money laundering.
It is also expected that VR gambling could become a mainstream trend by 2030, offering immersive digital casinos.
Cryptocurrency Casinos on the rise
Cryptocurrency gambling is a growing but still largely unregulated market, with some jurisdictions moving toward oversight. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital currencies are widely accepted in online casinos. Decentralised casinos (DApps), like hybrid and pure crypto casinos, offer an alternative to traditional operators. Although many regulatory uncertainties - many governments have not yet defined clear rules for crypto gambling - crypto casinos are on the rise and becoming increasingly popular. Some regulators, like the UK Gambling Commission, are restricting anonymous gambling to prevent fraud and money laundering.
Global Gambling Regulations
Gambling regulations vary significantly across countries, influenced by legal, cultural, and economic factors. Some nations fully legalise and regulate gambling, while others impose strict bans or operate under state-controlled monopolies. There are no Worldwide online gambling regulations. Various governments profit from online gambling while they try to control it with local licensing. International casinos often operate from off-shore jurisdictions to welcome players from more countries.
CasinoWow Tip: See our article on how different cultures approach gambling. Some countries see it as entertainment, while others use it for an economic boost.
A reputable international casino will have a license from one of the top regulators, usually one that covers many countries. Such regulators include the Malta Gambling Authority (MGA), Curacao eGaming, Anjouan Gaming License, and Philippines Gambling License (PAGCOR).
Below is an overview of gambling regulations in key regions worldwide.
1. North America
Gambling in the USA is regulated on a state-by-state basis. In states like Nevada (Las Vegas) and New Jersey (Atlantic City) land-based casinos are legal. States like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan allow online casinos, while others restrict or prohibit them.
Gambling in Canada is legal, but each province sets its own rules. Ontario has a regulated market, while other provinces operate government-controlled platforms.
2. Europe
The European Union (EU) has a decentralised regulation, meaning each member state governs gambling individually. Some key markets with the strictest regulations are:
- Sweden - All casino operators must have responsible gambling tools on their websites. Some restrictions on casino bonuses apply too.
- Germany - Legal under strict licensing rules since 2021.
- France - Highly regulated, allowing only certain types of online gambling.
- Spain & Italy - Licensed operators can offer online gambling under government supervision.
Although the UK is not part of the EU, it is an example of a country that strictly regulates the gambling market with ever-evolving laws and regulations on the casino market.
3. Asia & Middle East
The Asian market is not that open to gambling, and even illegal in some countries. In China, only state-run lotteries and Macau casinos are permitted. Online gambling is strictly illegal, with severe penalties. In India, some states allow gambling (Goa, Sikkim), while others ban it. There is no federal regulation; states enforce their own laws. Gambling is prohibited in the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, etc.) - there are strict bans under Islamic law. Online access is also blocked.
CasinoWow Advice: Have a look at our infographic on Gambling laws worldwide: the strict, the weird, and the liberal. It lists the most interesting gambling laws around the world.
4. Latin America
In recent years, the regulations in Latin American countries have developed faster. Online Gambling in Brazil was legalised in 2023, with licensing requirements. It has historically been restricted, but recent reforms are opening up the market. The same tendencies are noticed in Argentina, where there is provincial control - Buenos Aires and some provinces regulate online casinos and sports betting. Mexico's government licenses online and land-based gambling under specific rules.
5. Australia & Oceania
In this region, gambling is generally legal and, to some point, regulated. Australia has many casinos and betting establishments, but online gambling is highly restricted, with only licensed sports betting allowed. Gambling in New Zealand is Regulated by the Gambling Act 2003 and the government-run TAB NZ has a monopoly on sports betting. Residents can play on offshore sites without legal consequences. Crypto Gambling in both countries is not explicitly regulated but falls under anti-money laundering laws.
Have a look at various country regulation guides to learn more specifics about gambling laws in each country. We covered many countries, and the guides are regularly updated with relevant information.
Characteristics of the Best Online Casinos
When evaluating international online casinos, the best share several key characteristics that ensure safety, fairness, and an enjoyable gaming experience. Here are the most important factors to consider:
1. Available currency
Playing in your home currency is always recommended in online gambling. It eliminates confusion regarding exchange rates. Everyone wants to know exactly how much money they are winning, losing, or betting. So, playing in your currency is akin to good bankroll management.
We have selected top online casinos that accept currencies, including Crypto. While it’s impossible to include every currency, you can choose popular options like the US Dollar, Euro, or Japanese Yen if your currency isn’t available.
2. We want to speak your language
Nothing is more frustrating than not being able to find a top casino vendor that offers you a language you can understand. Not understanding the language leaves you vulnerable to specific terms and conditions around payout policies, playthrough requirements, bonus play, and much more. If you are not able to find your exact tongue of choice, there is a good chance that you will be able to select your second language as a choice. Widely used languages like English, Spanish, Portuguese, and German are all available at our recommended top 5 casino brands.
3. Safty first
Most casinos accepting all players are regulated poorly by licensees based in Curacao or Costa Rica. There is very little interest in the ethical governance of licensed casinos in these districts, which can lead to massive player abuse by international casinos. For this reason, we have done all the filtering to provide you with online establishments that have built up reputable names in the industry and pride themselves on world-class service and ethical practice.
We have selected international casinos that support various playable languages and payments on their platforms. They have a great reputation and a long history of player loyalty and entertainment.
BitStarz is a top-rated online casino founded in 2014. It offers Bitcoin and regular money betting on over 3,800 games.
Add a little luck to your gameplay with Let's Lucky Casino as you dive into over 9,500 casino games from top software providers.
Play over 4,000 games, grab exciting bonuses, and try your hand at the Wheel of Jackpots for progressive wins while playing at Videoslots Casino.
Enter Lucky 31 for top-notch entertainment with 2,000+ casino games, enticing promotions, and secure payment methods.
Hiperwin Casino is an online betting site with generous rewards and over 3,000 casino games.
Checklist for choosing the best online casino
Here is a quick checklist that you can refer to when choosing an online casino:
- Licensing & Regulation – Top online casinos operate under reputable regulatory bodies. You can see a list of all reputable gambling authorities and commissions that operate globally.
- Security & Safety – Third-party auditors like eCOGRA or iTech Labs regularly test trusted casinos. SSL Encryption protects financial and personal data.
- Game Variety & Software Providers – A great casino offers various games from leading software providers. The best casinos collaborate with top-tier developers like Evolution, Pragmatic Play, Novomatic, and Play'n GO.
- Payment Methods & Fast Payouts - Reliable casinos support multiple secure banking options, including traditional fiat payments and cryptocurrencies.
- Customer Support - Multilingual Support is a must for international players. Comprehensive FAQs for self-service assistance will also help.
- Responsible Gaming Tools - Reputable platforms encourage responsible gaming with Deposit & Betting Limits, Self-Exclusion Options, and partnerships with Responsible Gambling Organizations (e.g., GamCare, GamStop)
- Positive Reputation & Player Reviews - Checking reviews from reputable sites and user experiences helps ensure reliability and trustworthiness.
At CasinoWow, we conduct an extensive review process to ensure we list only the best casinos. You can also look at our list of untrustworthy casino sites to avoid and how to recognise them.
Crypto Casinos
International crypto casinos have gained significant popularity, offering players an efficient gaming experience worldwide. In addition, these casinos offer VPN-friendly access, and some even operate with minimal or no Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, facilitating anonymous gaming and making the play almost anonymous. However, this can create a problem with AML (anti-money laundering).
These platforms use digital currencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Litecoin (LTC) for transactions, providing benefits such as enhanced privacy, faster withdrawals, and access to exclusive games. Such casinos also offer special crypto casino bonuses and unique crypto-specific games such as Crash games.
Top Tip: Always choose a reputable and well-known platform if you want to play at crypto or hybrid online casino. Check out our dedicated page for the best crypto casinos and what they offer.
Cryptocurrency online casinos offer a modern and innovative approach to online gaming, combining the benefits of digital currencies with a diverse and engaging gaming environment. However, players should exercise due diligence to choose reputable platforms and remain informed about their jurisdictions' legal landscape. Engaging responsibly will enhance the gaming experience while safeguarding personal interests.
Banking Tips
Transferring funds internationally, whether depositing cash or withdrawing winnings, can be a timeous and expensive process when transacting via EFT or Credit Card. It also leaves information open to being compromised by online predators and hackers. Because of this, the best ROW casinos usually support a host of third-party payment methods that are generally very safe and efficient. Some of these include:
E-Wallets
Electronic wallets are a virtual third-party payment procedure that is a middleman between your bank account and a casino. They hold money online and can transact for you without releasing any of your sensitive information to the vendor. E-wallets are the fastest way of transacting funds to and from international casinos. Popular casino-friendly e-wallet options include Neteller, Skrill, and ecoPayz.
Pre-Paid Cards/Vouchers
Prepaid vouchers like Paysafecard afford you total security from phishing fraudsters. These vouchers can be bought from retail outlets worldwide. You can charge the voucher with cash at the store and redeem the amount on the casino site by entering the voucher code.
Instant Banking
Instant banking services can work in several different manners. Trustly pays funds to a casino on your behalf and collects their cash from your bank once the transaction clears. This service ensures fast payments to most top casinos anywhere in the world. Citadel is very popular and operates very similar to Trustly, but you do not have to register an account with them, which speeds up the transaction process.
Crypto E-Wallets
In recent years, cryptocurrencies have exploded and drawn the attention of the online gambling industry. You can choose from various Top Crypto casinos to play safely and anonymously with Crypto. Popular crypto e-wallets such as Binance and Coinbase allow online gambling transactions using Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and even NFTs.
Considerations for Deposits and Withdrawals
Managing deposits and withdrawals effectively is crucial when playing at an international online casino. Here are key factors to consider:
- Country Restrictions & Banking Regulations: Some countries block gambling-related transactions from banks or impose restrictions. E-wallets like PayPal may only work in select regions.
- Transaction Fees & Currency Exchange: Some casinos charge deposit or withdrawal fees, depending on the payment method. Currency exchange fees may apply if your account currency differs from the casino’s. Cryptocurrency transactions may have network fees, but they are usually lower than traditional banking fees.
- Deposit & Withdrawal Limits: Casinos set minimum and maximum deposit/withdrawal limits. VIP players often get higher withdrawal limits.
- Bonus-Related Withdrawal Conditions: If you claim a bonus, you must meet wagering requirements before withdrawing. Some casinos restrict withdrawals if an active bonus is in play. Bonus offers may exclude Certain payment methods (e.g., Skrill & Neteller).
- Withdrawal Processing Time: Some casinos impose a pending period (24-72 hours) before processing withdrawals. E-Wallets and cryptocurrencies are the fastest to process, usually within minutes to hours. Credit/Debit Cards typically take 1-5 business days, depending on the bank. Bank Transfers – 3-10 business days, often the slowest option.
International (ROW) Casino Bonuses
International online casinos offer various bonuses and sign up offers to attract and retain players. Understanding these bonuses' types, benefits, and terms helps players maximise their gaming experience.
A well-set online casino will have a diverse promotional strategy for player bonuses, from welcome bonus offers through Reload bonuses to customised player experiences like Birthday bonuses, seasonal offers, and gamification features.
Typically, a casino has one main bonus offer for players from many countries. This offer is often called a ROW (Rest of the World) bonus. Depending on which countries the casino mainly targets, it has specific bonuses per country. So, a player in New Zealand might get one welcome offer, and a player in Iceland might receive a different one. The ROW welcome offers usually cover countries outside the EU and exclude countries like the UK and Canada, which have specific welcome offers. These offers exclude countries where gambling is forbidden or bonus offers are not allowed.
Top Tip: At CasinoWow, we have a list of Exclusive Bonus offers available only to our visitors. Some of them require a special Bonus code, but others work without a code and can be claimed immediately. Check them out and make your pick.
Here are some of the most popular casino bonuses a player might get in an international casino:
- Welcome Bonus (Sign-Up Bonus): This is given to new players upon registration or first deposit. It often includes a deposit match (e.g., 100% up to $500) and free spins. Some casinos offer a no-deposit bonus, allowing play without an initial deposit.
- Reload Bonus: This bonus is available to existing players on subsequent deposits. It is often a percentage match, but it is lower than the welcome bonus.
- Free Spins Bonus: This bonus offers a set number of free spins on selected slot games. It can be standalone or part of a welcome package. Winnings may have wagering requirements. It is best for slot lovers wanting to try games risk-free.
- Cashback Bonus: A percentage of lost bets refunded as bonus money or cash. It can be daily, weekly, or part of a VIP program. Some casinos offer wager-free cashback (withdrawable immediately). It is best for players who want risk reduction.
- Loyalty/VIP Programs: These reward programs offer points for wagering. Higher VIP levels unlock better perks like exclusive bonuses, faster withdrawals, and personal managers. They are best for high rollers and regular players.
Responsible Gambling
Responsible gambling ensures that players enjoy online casinos safely without developing unhealthy habits or financial issues. Here’s a breakdown of responsible gambling practices in international online casinos:
✅ Responsible Gambling Organizations & Resources
International online casinos often partner with responsible gambling organisations that provide support:
- GamCare (UK) – Offers counselling and support for problem gamblers.
- BeGambleAware (Global) – Provides self-help tools and professional guidance.
- Gamblers Anonymous (Worldwide) – A support network for individuals recovering from gambling addiction.
- Gambling Therapy (International) – Online support for problem gamblers worldwide.
- Self-Exclusion Programs – GamStop (UK), Spelpaus (Sweden), ROFUS (Denmark), and more help players block access to gambling sites.
For a full list of support organisations per country, check our Play Safe page, where you can find more tips on responsible gambling.
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✅ Casino Responsibility & Ethical Practices
A responsible online casino should:
- Hold a Valid Gambling License – Regulated by authorities like MGA, UKGC, or Curacao eGaming.
- Ensure Fair Play – Use Random Number Generators (RNG) and third-party audits (eCOGRA, iTech Labs).
- Promote Responsible Gambling – Offer self-exclusion and limit-setting features such as wagering limits, deposit limits, and loss limits.
- Provide Support & Assistance – Have dedicated responsible gambling teams or helplines.
At CasinoWow, we deeply care about responsible gambling. Please refer to our Play Safe guides for more in-depth information about wagering, self-exclusion and how to play responsibly.
International Online Casinos Summary
Just because an online casino allows you to play on their platforms does not always mean it is legal. You should educate yourself on the laws of online gambling in your country. You would not want to spend thousands on online entertainment only to have your funds confiscated by your bank or government. On top of this, you could face significant fines. Ensure that your country allows online gambling before registering with a casino. Below we listed some advantages and disadvantages of international online casinos:
Playing at International Online Casinos
Advantages
- Multiple Fiat & Crypto Payment Options
- Open and Accessible to more countries
- Multiple Licenses
- Multilingual Support & Global Accessibility
Disadvantages
- Risk of Unregulated Casinos
- Currency Exchange Fees & Conversion Issues
- Lack of Responsible Gambling Tools
Disclaimer: CasinoWow does not provide legal counsel. Regulations vary per every country and you should follow and check latest regulations in the country you are playing from.
On this page, we've provided details about everything you need to know—how to find a safe International online casino, how to choose the payment method of your preference and other essential insights. If you think any information is missing, contact us or check our Guides section for more details.
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