The iGaming stats for 2025 speak for themselves—the data clearly shows a stiff rise in revenue across all aspects of iGaming affiliate marketing. Are you ready to make a bank with your affiliate ads?

iGaming is booming, and there has never been a better time to get involved in this highly lucrative industry.

cyber security in igaming partner business

But how can you expect to make your ads shine in the crowd?

With complex data, of course!

When learning from the latest trends and knowledge about iGaming, you’ll arm yourself with a powerful marketing strategy and take home your slice of the multi-billion-dollar pie in 2025.

The Rise of Online Gambling Popularity

It’s no secret that online gambling has been gaining popularity over the years. Its accessibility and convenience offer an experience that traditional gambling cannot.

In response, we’ve seen the market grow astoundingly, with an expected reach of $107.3 billion by the end of 2025. People are starting to see the appeal as well—it’s predicted that nearly 600 million people will participate in some way or form of online gambling in 2025.

This surge in demand has caused companies worldwide to spend more on advertising within the industry than ever before; it’s believed that ad spend will surpass $12 billion globally by 2025.

Essential iGaming Stats for Affiliate Marketers

Here are the most essential online gambling statistics for 2023:

igaming stats
AspectValueSource
Global size of the iGaming market in 2023~$127 billionH2 Gambling Capital
Projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) by 202711.5%Grand View Research
% of iGaming operators using affiliate marketing74%iGaming Business Affiliate Network
Affiliate marketing spend as a % of US iGaming marketing budget15%Econsultancy
% of iGaming companies planning to increase their affiliate marketing budgets69%iGaming Business Affiliate Network
Average affiliate commission rate in the iGaming industry25-35%Multiple Industry Sources
% of new iGaming customers acquired through affiliate channels~30-40%Multiple Industry Sources
Importance of mobile optimization for iGaming affiliatesVery HighEGR Intel
Growth of crypto casinos and their impact on affiliate marketingSignificantAffiliate Insider
Importance of responsible gambling promotion for affiliatesCriticalGambling Commission (UK)

What?How much?Source
Global gaming market revenue in 2023$200 billionNewzoo
Number of global gamers in 20233 billionStatista
Percentage of gamers who play mobile games45%Statista
Esports global market revenue in 2023$2.5 billionNewzoo
Percentage of esports audience aged 16-2454%Newzoo
Average annual spending of an esports enthusiast$12Statista
Number of Twitch monthly active users in 2023140 millionStatista
Percentage of global internet users who watch gaming videos48%Newzoo
Revenue of the gaming industry in the United States in 2023$39.1 billionStatista
Percentage of U.S. gamers who are female46%Statista
Total global game development industry revenue in 2023$175 billionNewzoo
Percentage of game developers focusing on mobile games51%Statista
Percentage of U.S. adults who play video games65%Fortune
Revenue generated by gaming hardware in 2023$54.6 billionStatista
Percentage of game developers using Unity as their primary platform61%Newzoo
Expected growth rate of the global gaming market from 2021 to 20268.4%Statista
Number of active gamers in China in 2023720 millionNiko Partners
Percentage of global gaming revenue from mobile games50%Newzoo
Annual growth rate of the global mobile gaming market11%Statista
Percentage of gamers who watch gaming content on YouTube70%Newzoo
Global VR gaming market revenue in 2023$6.6 billionStatista
Percentage of gamers who have made in-game purchases67%Newzoo
Percentage of gamers who spend more than 10 hours per week playing games32%Newzoo
Percentage of U.S. parents who play video games with their children84%Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
Total esports prize money awarded in 2023$590 millionNewzoo
Percentage of gamers who consider themselves to be “professional” gamers12%Statista
Annual growth rate of the global AR gaming market43%Statista
Percentage of gamers who are aged 18-3547%Statista
Percentage of gamers who play for relaxation55%Statista
Number of gaming apps available in the Apple App Store in 20231.96 millionStatista
Percentage of global gaming revenue from PC games24%Newzoo

Some more iGaming stats to bear in mind:

Last Known Figures for…Value
iGaming Global Market Size 2022$81.08 billion
Projected iGaming Market Size 2023$88.65 billion
iGaming Market CAGR9.3%
iGaming Market Size & Forecast – U.S. 2022Up to $7 billion
iGaming Market Size – U.K. 2022Around $15 billion
iGaming Market Size – France 2022$5.6 billion
iGaming Market Size – Germany 2024Expected to grow to $3 billion
iGaming Market Size – Spain Q1 2022 GGR$207.36 million
Projected Global iGaming Market Size 2024$107.3 billion
IGaming Market Size By Segment
Image by Scaleo.io

In other words – that’s a lot of money!

But, how do you tap into these juicy figures? Here are a few things to help you optimize your approach.

Understanding Your Audience: The Demographics of Gamblers

If you want your audience to hang on every word you say, then you must understand them as best as possible. We know that one-quarter of the entire population gambles (yup, one out of four!), which equates to roughly 1.6 billion people worldwide participating in some gambling activity.

When targeting online gamblers specifically, however, be aware that they mostly fall into two categories: males between the ages of 18 and 39 account for approximately 82% of online gamblers, while those from lower-income households tend to both gamble more frequently and have a higher chance of developing problems.

Mobile Gaming: Taking Over and Changing User Habits

When was the last time you saw someone under 30 without their phone in their hand? We’re willing to bet it wasn’t that long ago. Nearly 50% of all gamblers now admit to gambling on their smartphones, and three out of every four people ages 18-34 use their phones for online gambling.

It’s hard to argue against the convenience and accessibility offered by mobile gaming, and affiliate marketers would be wise to optimize their campaigns for mobile users as a result.

The Rise of Sports Betting

Sports betting has recently seen an incredible popularity boost (and profits). The global sports betting market is projected to reach $155.5 billion by 2025, making now an ideal time for affiliate marketers to target sports enthusiasts.

Don’t Sleep on Esports Popularity!

If you haven’t heard about esports yet, we have to ask where you’ve been living. This up-and-coming industry is on track to become the world’s hottest trend! — But we’ll save that discussion for another day.

In terms of betting, though, esports takes the cake as well: The global market was valued at $17.2 billion just last year.

The Technological Revolution Within iGaming

The technology that powers these online gambling platforms has advanced significantly in recent years.

One such advancement is blockchain technology, which has played a crucial role in simplifying virtual event hosting, enhancing overall transparency within the industry, and ensuring secure transactions between participants.

Security Through Blockchain Transactions

Blockchain technology has revolutionized the way transactions are conducted on iGaming platforms.

Not only does it protect user information from prying eyes, but it also makes transactions more straightforward!

Implementing this tech within your website or application’s framework will give customers peace of mind whenever they deposit or withdraw funds. Through smart contracts, a feature provided by blockchain technology, players can verify that games operate fairly.

Another massive leap forward in the iGaming sector is virtual reality. It was once limited to physical casinos, but it has now migrated into players’ homes. This allows players to experience video games in a more realistic and interactive way, which engages them more effectively.

Cloud-based technology has also significantly contributed to the technological revolution in iGaming. With the ability to store and process large amounts of data, it can alleviate the burden on operators’ shoulders, enabling them to deliver seamless gaming experiences.

Augmented reality and graphic advancements have also done their part. By creating visually stunning games with interactive designs, they’ve truly taken iGaming to new heights in terms of what’s possible.

The Technological Revolution in iGaming

iGaming, as an industry, has grown significantly thanks to today’s technology. These advancements have enabled players to engage in innovative gaming experiences that would have been impossible before these technologies were developed.

TechnologyBenefits
Blockchain– Secure transactions
– Improved transparency
– Simplified organization of virtual events
Virtual Reality– Immersive gaming experiences
– Realistic and interactive gameplay
– Enhanced player engagement
Cloud-based Technology– Scalable and flexible solutions
– Efficient management of operations
– Seamless gaming experiences
Augmented Reality and Graphics Advancements– Visually stunning games
– Interactive and immersive gameplay

These advancements will likely continue, as we can anticipate further ones down the line that will further improve everyone’s time spent playing or operating such games.

Leveraging Upcoming Trends for iGaming Marketing

To stay on top of everything, affiliate marketers must stay informed about the latest marketing trends in iGaming. In this section, we will cover three key areas: micro-influencer marketing, AI-incorporated machine learning for user acquisition, and social media optimization strategies.

Micro-Influencers: An untapped resource for affiliates

Everyone knows that major influencers with millions of followers are successful collaborators for marketing partnerships.

However, out of nowhere, smaller influencers have made their way up through the ranks, proving themselves highly effective at much lower costs than their larger counterparts. They may not reach nearly as big an audience, but they make up for it by being much more relatable and authentic, which is far more attractive to iGamers who can see through phoniness.

With humble beginnings like theirs, however, comes a cost-effective solution for affiliate marketers to tap into these influencers’ followings and drive traffic to gaming platforms, thus boosting their conversion rates.

AI and Machine Learning: Changing the way we acquire users

The AI technologies available today are improving user acquisition in such a way that it is hard to believe. They have made significant strides, particularly in marketing strategies such as image and video creation, website development, and content creation. Marketers can work much more efficiently by automating tasks that would take hours or even days for humans to complete.

This increased efficiency not only saves time but also delivers more accurate targeting, which in turn increases operational efficiency. By using data-driven strategies, affiliates can optimize their user acquisition efforts and stay ahead of the competition during this time of rapid technological advancement.

Social Media Optimization: Strategies for iGaming Traffic

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have become hotspots for interacting with iGamers or searching for games themselves. Knowing how to use them effectively will be crucial for driving traffic to these platforms in the future.

iGaming Marketing 2025 Stats: Power Up Your Affiliate Ads Strategy [Updated] - iGaming stats

This includes creating engaging posts that resonate with the target audience, leveraging groups and communities on social media sites, as well as targeting niche audiences who may be eager for new releases or experiences.

How to Improve Your iGaming Campaign with Scaleo Affiliate Software?

When it comes to optimizing iGaming campaigns, Scaleo Affiliate Software is the ultimate solution. With its robust features and comprehensive platform, Scaleo empowers affiliate marketers to achieve optimal results and drive success in their iGaming ventures.

Scaleo provides advanced tracking capabilities that allow you to monitor your campaigns’ performance in real-time. This means you’ll be able to analyze the effectiveness of your strategies and make data-driven decisions using the latest analytics data, which will optimize your campaigns.

Fraud detection is also a key feature offered by Scaleo. Detecting and stopping fraudulent activities can help you maintain a secure environment for your affiliate marketing endeavors, protecting your campaigns from impact.

Scaleo also has performance optimization tools that enable you to fine-tune your campaigns for better results. You can analyze performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and apply targeted optimizations to achieve higher conversions and ROI.

iGaming Marketing 2025 Stats: Power Up Your Affiliate Ads Strategy [Updated] - iGaming stats

Conclusion

The iGaming business is clearly on the rise and presents numerous opportunities for affiliate marketers. The iGaming market is projected to grow at an 11.5% CAGR by 2027, with 74% of operators using affiliate marketing. The average affiliate commission rate is 25-35%, and affiliates are focusing on mobile optimization, crypto casinos, and promoting responsible gambling.

We can develop effective promotional techniques by bridging key iGaming metrics and understanding the socioeconomics of the target audience. It is also critical to embrace innovative advancements and influencer-driven trends, such as micro-influencers, AI, and social media marketing, to enhance campaign performance.

To further enhance results, we suggest upgrading iGaming campaigns with tools like Scaleo affiliate software. This comprehensive platform offers progress, followed by ongoing analysis, detection of fraud, and execution optimization tools that enable us to manage and improve our campaigns for success effectively.

cyber security in igaming partner business

As the iGaming industry continues to evolve, we must stay informed and adapt to future trends. By continually observing market shifts and changing our methodologies, we can keep in front of the opposition and flourish in the unique universe of iGaming affiliate marketing.

Avatar of Elizabeth Sramek
Author

Elizabeth Sramek is an independent search strategy advisor and technical iGaming architect based in Prague. She works on server-side (S2S) attribution, affiliate migration integrity, and revenue-grade demand capture for operators in regulated, high-competition markets. At Scaleo, her focus sits at the intersection of attribution accuracy, revenue reconciliation, and AI-driven player discovery—helping operators build search and partner acquisition systems that remain auditable, compliant, and resilient at scale.