Global gambling trends

The gambling industry is continuously evolving as regulations change and economies develop around the world. This study, a first of its kind, combines the revenues from gambling and the physical locations of casinos around the world.

The industry is still dominated by the USA, in terms of number of casinos (1179 casinos) and total revenue ($73bn). If we look at the map below, which shows the total revenue per country, it's easy to see that China is the second largest gambling economy with $44bn of revenues. The share of casino revenues attributed to China is even larger when considering that a large part of the $6.3bn revenue from the casinos in Singapore comes from Chinese tourists.

Casino Revenues in the World

What's really interesting is that in the whole of China there are only 41 casinos, compared to the huge number of 1179 casinos based in USA.

When you consider the economic strength of each country, in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), then Singapore churns out more casino revenues as a percentage of GDP than any other country. Singapore does this with only 2 casinos.

The Rise And Fall Of China

• China comes second only to the USA in terms of casino revenues
• Macau casinos generate 7 times more gambling revenues than the Las Vegas strip!
• Chinese casinos rely on high rollers rather than casual players
• Only 7% of total revenues in Macau casinos are from non-gambling activities
• Government crack-downs on money laundering and triads are driving casino revenues down in the region by as much as 36% in the past year

Casinos in Asia are clustered around Macau and Singapore. Macau is the only destination in China where gambling is allowed, a result of its distant past as a Portuguese colony. Singapore is a much-newer entrant to the world of casinos, having issued its first casino licence only five years ago.

• Cambodia and Philippines are the other major casino hotspots in Asia, with 31 and 24 casinos respectively, though revenues in both of the countries pales in comparison to China and Singapore
• Australia has 13 casinos and tens of gaming rooms located in Tasmania

Casinos In The USA - More Than Just Vegas

In contrast to China, and quite contrary to popular expectations, casinos in the USA are quite evenly spread throughout the country, with a mix of regional casinos as well as casinos on Native American reservations.

Casinos in USA

Not surprisingly, casino revenues are not quite as evenly spread throughout the USA.

• Las Vegas accounts for the lion's share of casino takings
• The Las Vegas Strip casinos earn roughly 50% of the gaming revenues from all sources in the state of Nevada
• Interestingly, gambling accounts for only 37% of Las Vegas strip casino revenues
• New Jersey is the second largest earner, with $7.05 billion generated from 8 casinos
• South Dakota has the 3rd largest number of casinos, but the economic impact here is the lowest of the country
• California's casino revenues were around $7bn, all from casinos operated by Native American tribes.

Casino Revenues in USA

Casino Gambling In Europe Shows Diversity

The European market is dominated by France and the United Kingdom, in terms of number of casinos and revenues.

• With 203 casinos, France is the country with second largest number of casinos in the world, after the USA
• French casinos are all in tourist destinations, often close to the seaside

Casinos in Europe

• Britain and France generate the highest revenues in Europe
• Germany may be Europe's largest economy, but it is only 5th in terms of gambling
• In Italy the gambling industry is not developed: there are only five land-based casinos, most of them in border towns or in Venice
• Scandinavian countries are dominated by state-owned casinos that tightly regulate gambling

Casino Revenues in Europe

Data accurate as of October 2015.

Sources of data: