Sports Betting Market Size, Share, and Trends 2026 to 2035

According to MarketnReports, the global Sports Betting market size was estimated at USD 112 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 298 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 10.3% from 2026 to 2035. The sports betting market is driven by increasing legalization and adoption of online platforms worldwide.

What are the key insights into the sports betting market?

  • The global sports betting market size was valued at USD 112 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 298 billion by 2035.
  • The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2035.
  • The market is driven by regulatory reforms enabling legalization, technological advancements in mobile apps, and the rising popularity of live betting and eSports.
  • Online dominates the platform segment with a 70% share due to its convenience, accessibility via smartphones, and integration of real-time features that attract younger demographics.
  • Fixed odds wagering dominates the type segment with a 35% share owing to its straightforward nature, widespread availability, and appeal to casual bettors seeking predictable outcomes.
  • Football dominates the sports type segment with a 40% share because of its massive global fanbase, frequent events, and high engagement levels, driving consistent wagering volumes.
  • Europe dominates the regional segment with a 35% share owing to established regulatory frameworks, mature markets in countries like the UK, and strong integration with sports leagues.

What is the overview of the sports betting industry?

The sports betting market comprises activities where individuals wager on the outcomes of sporting events, ranging from traditional sports like football and basketball to emerging categories such as eSports and virtual competitions. This market involves platforms that facilitate bets through fixed odds, live wagering, or peer-to-peer exchanges, supported by digital technologies for real-time engagement and secure transactions. Market definition includes all forms of legalized wagering on sports outcomes, encompassing online and offline channels, with a focus on regulated operators ensuring fair play, consumer protection, and revenue generation for stakeholders, including governments and sports leagues. It serves a global audience by enhancing fan engagement, providing entertainment value, and contributing to economic growth through taxation and job creation in related sectors like technology and media.

What drives the growth in the sports betting market?

Growth Drivers

Growth drivers in the sports betting market are anchored by progressive regulatory changes, particularly in regions like North America, where state-level legalizations have unlocked new consumer bases and generated substantial tax revenues. The proliferation of mobile technology and high-speed internet has enabled seamless online platforms, allowing users to place bets anytime, anywhere, which has significantly boosted participation rates among millennials and Gen Z. Additionally, partnerships between betting operators and sports leagues, such as data-sharing agreements for in-play betting, enhance user experiences and foster trust, while the rise of eSports as a mainstream entertainment form attracts tech-savvy audiences, diversifying revenue streams beyond traditional sports.

Restraints

Restraints impacting the sports betting market include stringent regulatory hurdles and varying legal landscapes across jurisdictions, which can lead to operational complexities, high compliance costs, and market entry barriers for operators. Concerns over gambling addiction and responsible gaming have prompted governments to impose advertising restrictions and mandatory player protection measures, potentially slowing expansion in sensitive regions. Moreover, cybersecurity threats and fraud risks associated with online platforms erode consumer confidence, necessitating heavy investments in secure technologies, while economic downturns or shifts in consumer spending can reduce discretionary wagering, affecting overall market stability.

Opportunities

Opportunities in the sports betting market stem from emerging markets in Asia Pacific and Latin America, where increasing smartphone penetration and evolving regulations present untapped potential for digital platforms to capture growing middle-class populations interested in sports entertainment. Innovations like blockchain for transparent transactions and virtual reality for immersive betting experiences can differentiate operators, attracting new users and enhancing retention. Strategic expansions through mergers and acquisitions allow companies to consolidate market share, while integrating cryptocurrency payments appeals to tech-forward demographics, opening avenues for global, borderless wagering and partnerships with fintech firms to streamline operations.

Challenges

Challenges in the sports betting market revolve around navigating inconsistent global regulations, as differing laws on taxation, licensing, and advertising create fragmented markets and increase legal risks for international operators. Intense competition from both established players and new entrants pressures margins, requiring continuous innovation in user interfaces and odds offerings to maintain loyalty. Data privacy concerns under regulations like GDPR demand robust compliance systems, while addressing problem gambling through effective self-exclusion tools and education initiatives is essential to mitigate reputational damage and potential bans, all amid evolving consumer preferences toward sustainable and ethical practices.

Sports Betting Market: Report Scope

Report Attributes Report Details
Report Name Sports Betting Market
Market Size 2025 USD 112 Billion
Market Forecast 2035 USD 298 Billion
Growth Rate CAGR of 10.3%
Report Pages 220
Key Companies Covered

Flutter Entertainment, DraftKings, Bet365, Entain plc, MGM Resorts (BetMGM), and Others

Segments Covered By Type, By Platform, By Sports Type, and By Region
Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Latin America, and The Middle East and Africa (MEA)
Base Year 2025
Historical Year 2020 - 2024
Forecast Year 2026 - 2035
Customization Scope Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs.

How is the Sports Betting market segmented?

The Sports Betting market is segmented by type, platform, sports type, and region.

By Type, fixed odds wagering emerges as the most dominant subsegment, holding approximately 35% market share, followed by live/in-play betting as the second most dominant at around 25%. Fixed odds wagering dominates due to its simplicity, allowing bettors to lock in odds before events start, which appeals to a broad audience, including novices, and its compatibility with various sports formats ensures steady revenue for operators. This dominance drives the market by providing predictable income streams, encouraging promotional strategies like bonuses, and supporting the integration of data analytics to optimize odds, thereby expanding user bases and enhancing overall market accessibility.

By Platform, online stands as the most dominant subsegment with about 70% share, while offline is the second most dominant at roughly 30%. Online dominates owing to the convenience of mobile apps and websites, real-time updates, and global reach without physical limitations, catering to the digital shift in consumer behavior. This segment propels market growth by enabling 24/7 access, personalized experiences through AI recommendations, and lower operational costs for operators, which in turn facilitates aggressive marketing and international expansion, boosting participation and revenue in emerging digital economies.

By Sports Type, football is the most dominant subsegment, capturing around 40% share, with basketball as the second most dominant at approximately 20%. Football leads due to its universal popularity, major leagues like the Premier League and World Cup generating high viewership, and diverse betting options from match outcomes to player stats. This dominance fuels market advancement by attracting massive wagering volumes during peak seasons, fostering sponsorships with teams, and driving technological innovations like live streaming integrations, which enhance engagement and contribute to sustained growth across global regions.

What are the recent developments in the sports betting market?

  • In July 2025, Allwyn announced the acquisition of PrizePicks, a daily fantasy sports operator, to strengthen its presence in the US market and expand into fantasy and sports betting segments, leveraging PrizePicks' user base for cross-promotional opportunities.
  • In October 2025, DraftKings completed the acquisition of Sports IQ Analytics, enhancing its capabilities in player props and micro-betting through advanced data analytics, aiming to improve odds accuracy and user engagement in competitive markets.
  • In January 2026, the Tennessee sports betting regulator issued cease-and-desist orders to Kalshi, Polymarket, and Crypto.com, requiring them to halt sports-related prediction contracts for state residents, highlighting ongoing regulatory scrutiny on event-based wagering platforms.
  • In 2025, Apollo Global Management finalized its acquisition of Everi Holdings and IGT's gaming businesses, creating a consolidated entity focused on slots and digital gaming, with implications for integrated sports betting solutions in land-based casinos.
  • In June 2025, Entain acquired Angstrom Sports, a sports modeling and analytics firm, to bolster its in-house data capabilities for better pricing and risk management in sports betting operations across Europe and Australia.

Which region dominates the Sports Betting market?

  • Europe is to dominate the global market.

Europe leads the sports betting market with a 35% share, underpinned by well-established regulatory environments in countries like the UK, Germany, and Italy, which provide a stable framework for operators and generate significant tax revenues. The UK, as the dominating country, holds over 40% of regional activity due to its Gambling Commission oversight, widespread adoption of online platforms, and integrations with major leagues like the Premier League, where sponsorships and in-stadium betting enhance fan experiences. The region is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% through 2035, supported by advancements in mobile technology, cross-border EU policies facilitating market access, and increasing focus on responsible gambling initiatives that build consumer trust amid high disposable incomes and cultural acceptance of betting as entertainment.

North America commands a robust 30% market share, driven by rapid legalization post-2018 Supreme Court ruling, with expanding online and retail options in over 38 states by 2026. The US dominates regionally with about 85% share, fueled by states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania leading in revenue through partnerships between operators and sports teams, such as NFL collaborations for in-game betting. The market anticipates a CAGR of 12.5%, bolstered by federal discussions on uniform regulations, surging eSports interest among youth, and investments in AI-driven personalization, though varying state taxes and advertising restrictions pose ongoing adjustments for growth.

Asia Pacific exhibits dynamic growth with a 20% share, propelled by emerging regulations in countries like India and Japan, alongside established markets in Australia and Singapore. Australia leads as the dominating country with around 30% regionally, thanks to its mature industry, high per-capita wagering, and innovations in horse racing and cricket betting apps. Expected to achieve a CAGR of 11.8%, the region benefits from rising smartphone penetration exceeding 70% in urban areas, government lotteries transitioning to sports wagering, and cultural events like IPL driving volumes, yet faces challenges from restrictive laws in China and varying enforcement across Southeast Asia.

Latin America captures an emerging 8% share, supported by liberalization efforts in Brazil and Argentina, where new laws have attracted international operators. Brazil dominates at about 45% regionally following its 2024 betting regulation, enabling licensed platforms for football wagering amid a passionate sports culture. The region projects a CAGR of 10.2%, driven by economic recovery, mobile infrastructure improvements reaching 80% coverage, and partnerships with local leagues, although corruption concerns and uneven digital access in rural areas may hinder uniform expansion.

The Middle East and Africa region holds a 7% share, growing through selective legalizations in South Africa and Morocco, with potential in the UAE's tourism-driven initiatives. South Africa leads with around 50% regionally via its established lottery and betting commissions, focusing on horse racing and soccer. Anticipated CAGR of 8.7% stems from increasing internet access at 60% penetration, youth demographics engaging in mobile betting, and pilot programs in Kenya, but is tempered by religious and cultural prohibitions in many countries, alongside infrastructure gaps.

Who are the key players in the sports betting market?

  • Flutter Entertainment dominates through its FanDuel and Paddy Power brands, employing strategies like aggressive US market expansion via acquisitions and sports league partnerships, while investing in AI for personalized betting experiences to capture younger users and drive revenue growth.
  • DraftKings focuses on digital innovation, pursuing mergers such as the 2025 Sports IQ Analytics acquisition to enhance data-driven odds, and emphasizing mobile-first platforms with NFT integrations to differentiate in competitive North American markets for sustained user acquisition.
  • Bet365 leverages its global footprint with in-house technology for live streaming and in-play betting, adopting customer-centric strategies including loyalty programs and responsible gaming tools to maintain leadership in Europe and expand into emerging Asian markets.
  • Entain plc prioritizes diversification through brands like Ladbrokes and bwin, investing in analytics via the 2025 Angstrom Sports buyout and sustainability initiatives to comply with regulations, targeting growth in Australia and Latin America for balanced international revenue.
  • MGM Resorts (BetMGM) integrates online betting with physical casinos, forming joint ventures with sports entities like the NBA for exclusive data rights, and focusing on omnichannel experiences to strengthen its US position amid state legalizations.

What are the emerging trends in the sports betting market?

  • Surge in mobile betting apps with AI personalization for enhanced user engagement and retention.
  • Integration of virtual reality and augmented reality for immersive live betting experiences.
  • Growth of eSports wagering amid the rising popularity of competitive gaming tournaments.
  • Adoption of cryptocurrency and blockchain for secure, anonymous transactions and fraud prevention.
  • Emphasis on responsible gambling features like self-exclusion tools and spending limits.
  • Expansion of micro-betting on in-game events to attract real-time wagering enthusiasts.

What segments and subsegments are covered in the Sports Betting report?

By Type

  • Fixed Odds Wagering
  • Exchange Betting
  • Live/In-Play Betting
  • eSports Betting
  • Pari-Mutuel
  • Daily Fantasy
  • Spread Betting
  • Prop Bets
  • Futures Betting
  • Virtual Sports Betting
  • Others

By Platform

  • Online
  • Offline

By Sports Type

  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Hockey
  • Cricket
  • Boxing
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Motor Sports
  • Horse Racing
  • Others

By Region

    • North America
      • U.S.
      • Canada
    • Europe
      • UK
      • Germany
      • France
      • Rest of Europe
    • Asia Pacific
      • China
      • India
      • Japan
      • Rest of Asia Pacific
    • Latin America
      • Brazil
      • Mexico
      • Rest of Latin America
    • Middle East & Africa
      • UAE
      • South Africa
      • Rest of Middle East & Africa

Frequently Asked Questions

Sports betting involves wagering on the outcomes of sporting events, including traditional sports and eSports, through various formats like fixed odds or live bets on regulated platforms.

Key factors include regulatory legalizations, technological innovations like mobile apps and AI, rising eSports popularity, and increasing smartphone penetration globally.

The market is projected to grow from USD 112 billion in 2026 to USD 298 billion by 2035.

The market is expected to register a CAGR of 10.3% during 2026-2035.

Europe will contribute notably, driven by mature regulations and high consumer engagement in countries like the UK and Germany.

Major players include Flutter Entertainment, DraftKings, Bet365, Entain plc, and MGM Resorts (BetMGM).

The report provides comprehensive analysis including market size, trends, segmentation, regional insights, key players, and forecasts from 2026 to 2035.

Stages include regulatory licensing, platform development, odds setting and data analytics, marketing and user acquisition, transaction processing, and payout with compliance monitoring.

Trends are shifting toward mobile and live betting with AI enhancements, while consumers prefer immersive experiences, cryptocurrency options, and responsible gaming features.

Evolving legalizations boost growth, but strict advertising bans, taxation, and anti-addiction measures increase compliance costs and influence market entry.