Over the past decade, online games have evolved from a growing niche into a mature ecosystem that brings together two parallel worlds: gaming (video games) and iGaming (money-based games such as casinos and betting). Both have been driven by increasingly powerful smartphones, faster mobile networks, and new formats—from live streaming to cloud services—while regulators and operators have redefined rules, safeguards, and business models. This article outlines the key trends, backed by numbers and facts from authoritative sources.
Two fast-moving tracks: gaming and iGaming
On the video game side, the global market in 2025 is worth around $188.8 billion, with an audience of 3.6 billion players. That figure nearly doubles the turnover compared to a decade ago (around $91.5 billion in 2015). The trajectory is clear: more users, more platforms (mobile, console, PC), and revenues driven by services, live content, and in-game monetization.
Mobile has played a decisive role. In 2024, global spending on in-app purchases for mobile games stood at about $81–82 billion, with strategy/puzzle genres on the rise and the “hybrid-casual” segment growing at double digits. Signs point to mobile remaining the dominant platform by volume and frequency, even if it is now more mature and competitive than a few years ago.
Underlying it all is the installed base: the mobile economy accounts for around 5.8% of global GDP and continues to expand the number of people accessing the internet via smartphones, with Asia-Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa as the main sources of new users. More connectivity has meant more consumption of content and services, including games.
Europe’s iGaming: growth, mobile, and regulation
Looking at European iGaming, in 2024 the overall gambling market (online + land-based) reached €123.4 billion in GGR, up 5% from 2023. The online component accounted for €47.9 billion, representing about 39% of the total sector, a sign of digitalization that is now structural.
Usage has shifted to the pocket: 58% of online revenues in Europe in 2024 came from mobile devices, a share that grew from the previous year and is expected to increase further in the coming years. This explains why operators are investing heavily in apps, UX, and responsible onboarding via smartphones.
In terms of product mix, online casino remains the largest contributor to digital revenues, ahead of betting, lotteries, and other verticals. This hierarchy has been reinforced by live casino, presenter-led games, and “always-on” tables integrated with social and streaming functions.
A glance at Great Britain shows the weight: between April 2023 and March 2024, the remote casino generated around £4–4.4 billion in GGY, with slots as the dominant segment; followed by online betting and, at a distance, bingo.
Regulation: stronger safeguards, clearer limits
Digital expansion has gone hand in hand with stricter rules. In the United Kingdom, starting in 2025 new stake limits on online slots came into force: £5 per spin for players over 25 and £2 for those aged 18–24, rolled out between April and May. The measures were accompanied by a mandatory levy to fund prevention, research, and treatment. It’s a sign of oversight aimed at reducing risks, especially among younger users.
Experience, formats, and trust
In terms of user experience, the past decade has seen a qualitative leap: more accessible interfaces, secure payments, advanced identity verification, and built-in responsible gaming tools (from deposit limits to reality checks). Live casino has turned tables into interactive shows, while in pure gaming “live-ops,” battle passes, and seasonal events have exploded, extending the life cycle of titles. On the discovery side, comparison portals and guides have grown, helping users evaluate platforms, catalogs, and safety levels. It is in this context that searches for classic games such as roulette, baccarat, and online blackjack fit naturally, allowing players to understand differences between operators, variants, and rules.
What the numbers tell us (and how to interpret them)
- Mobile at the center. Heavy smartphone usage has made gaming a “continuous” activity, redefining sessions and interfaces. In Europe, more than half of online revenues come from mobile; in gaming, mobile holds the largest share of global spending.
- A more mature growth. Gaming continues to grow but at the pace of a mature sector. Publishers now focus on retention, community, and live content rather than big launch spikes. In iGaming, growth is steady and regulated, with online shares increasing and positive pressure toward safer play.
- Rules as a lever of trust. Stake limits, advanced KYC, payment traceability, and strict ad bans (as in Italy) aim to reduce harm and build a sustainable market in the long run. The convergence between public policy and industry best practices is set to strengthen.