How many online casinos are there

Online casino games have been popular since its introduction during the early s. Players get into online casinos as the games allow them to indulge in gambling without leaving the comfort of their homes.

The pandemic caused the online casino industry’s spike in and Studies show that overall gambling increases during the lockdown ranged between 4% to 14%. Existing online casinos grew more profits at that time, and more games popped up.

Today, there are thousands of online casinos globally, fueled by millions of gamblers. Learn more about them in this article.

Highlights of the Article

• America’sonline gambling market value was $ billion in , which will only grow since some states’ online gambling regulations are pending.
• Offshore casinos attract Canadian gamblers with an overall return of winnings rate of 97%.
• The UK Gambling Commission issued 3, licenses to 2, online gambling companies, allowing online casinos to operate.
• Online casinos are banned in Australia, but 11% of Australians gambled online in through offshore websites.
• Germany legalized online gambling in and approved licenses for 12 operators to provide gambling services online. 
• Italy legalized online gambling in , allowing over online casinos to operate.
• Online gambling was legalized in Spain in , leading to the licensure of 70 online casino operators.
• Online casino games are available in 1 operator only in Switzerland.

Number of Online Casinos In The World

As of February , there are 4, global casinos and online gambling businesses worldwide, a % increase from last year. Online casinos make up some 2, of that count. 

A report revealed the global online gambling market will reach over $ billion by the end of That is almost double the previous year’s $ billion. The market will continue growing at % from to

According to a worldwide statistic, 41% of gamblers play online for enjoyment. Here are other top motivators and reasons for online gambling:

These reasons drive online casinos to thrive globally. Let’s see the scene for countries with the top online casino numbers below.

Registered Online Casino Per Country

Gambling is a common form of entertainment globally. Some countries’ cultures also incorporate gambling into their beliefs and traditions.

Despite that, online casinos are illegal in some countries, like:

• UAE
• Qatar
• Japan
• Brunei
• France
• Poland
• Australia
• Cambodia
• Singapore
• North Korea

However, online casinos are still booming in some nations where they are illegal. That is due to citizens finding a legal loophole or the government exempting some operators. With that, statistics about the industry exist in some of the illegal territories. 

Side Note

Speaking of loopholes, more bettors worldwide are employing the benefits of blockchain to bypass certain gambling limitations. Crypto casinos have enabled players to gamble online securely and anonymously.

Although, there are still individuals who are critical of blockchain gambling due to its unregulated nature and volatility.

Read on and learn more about the global online gambling industries worldwide.

United States: +

(CasinoFreak, thisisnl.nl, Statista)

The US gambling industry sees billions of dollars every year. Online casinos contribute a big portion to that. However, only a few states regulate it, such as:

• Michigan
• Delaware
• New Jersey
• Connecticut
• West Virginia
• Pennsylvania

Those states highly regulate their territories’ online casino scene. The mandates impose many restrictions, leaving players with limited options to play casinos online.

Meanwhile, the legalization of online casinos is pending in the following:

• Illinois
• New York
• Mississippi
• Massachusetts

In , at least 10% of Americans bet once a week in online and offline casino games. That same year, the industry’s market grew from the previous year’s $ billion to $ billion. 

Since online betting highly contributes to the country’s economy, more states might plead for its regulation in their area. With that, the online gambling industry in the US will only grow more.

Canada: 0

(thisisnl.nl, ICLG, Easy Reader & Peninsula Magazine)

There are currently no registered online casinos in Canada due to its strict gambling laws, which prohibit all forms of gaming. 

Section of the country’s federal Criminal Code exempts provincial governments, permitting them to “conduct and manage” online gambling in their territories. Regardless, Canada remains without an officially registered online casino.

However, Canadian laws expressly prohibit citizens from gambling online. With that, bettors find ways by playing in offshore casino companies. They prefer online wagers since their overall return of winnings is 97%, compared to on-site gambling’s 61%.

United Kingdom:

(Xace)

The UK Gambling Commission regulates the country’s gambling industry, issuing 3, licenses to 2, online gambling companies. There are currently over online casinos operating domestically. 

The industry grew the most during the pandemic, recording these record-breaking statistics:

• Participation in online casinos expanded by % in
• 12% of gamblers spent more on online gambling during the lockdown.
• Over online gaming job listings were posted in the UK in January

As of April , there are more than 24 million online gamblers in the UK. The average weekly bet per gambler is £, down to a £ yearly spend. With that many participants and expenditures, the industry will continue to grow.

Australia: 0

(ACMA, Lexology, thisisnl.nl) 

Australia strictly regulates its gambling industry. The only forms of online wagers are:

Meanwhile, casino games are only available physically. Online casinos are banned in the country. The Interactive Gambling Act of prohibits online gambling providers from offering casino services to citizens. 

Despite the ban, 11% of Australians reported gambling online in They make way by betting through offshore casinos.

With that, Australia’s gambling industry remains one of the most prominent worldwide. In , they were the world’s biggest losers in the world of gambling, with each gambler losing $1, per year.

New Zealand: 0

(Health Promotion Agency, Department of Internal Affairs)

No registered online casinos exist in New Zealand. Locally-based gambling companies are prohibited by the Gambling Act of  

The only authorized gambling operators in New Zealand are TAB and Lotto NZ, which only offer the following:

Despite that, the law does not prohibit individuals from betting online through offshore websites. Kiwis are free to play online casino games under international operators, which 2% of NZ adults reported doing.

However, New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs warns players that these offshore websites may not be regulated. Therefore, players are more exposed to harm, and there are no domestic laws to protect the citizens from them.

Italy: +

(CMS Law, Statista)

Italy currently has more than online gambling sites, some of which are solely for online casinos.

Online gambling in Italy has been legal since It was the first EU member that did so. Operators must apply for a remote gambling license before providing services to customers. 

A ban indicates gambling operators cannot advertise betting games, especially by enticing customers with cash winnings. Despite that, Italy’s online gambling industry still draws thousands of online bettors.

Germany: 12

(CMS Law, thisisnl.nl)

Online gambling became legal in Germany in July , and 70 gambling operators submitted their applications to get licensed. However, the country is not in a hurry, as it only approved 12 operators in the first year of online gambling’s legalization.

The law remains strict, allowing only certain forms of poker and card games. Each state in Germany decides on granting licenses. These are the states that recently approved laws in online casinos:

• Schleswig-Holstein
• North-Rhine Westphalia

Meanwhile, online casino games are allowed under state monopoly in these territories:

• Saxony
• Bavaria
• Thuringia
• Brandenburg

France: 0

(thisisnl.nl, The Law Reviews)

France’s online gambling industry is small, comprising 15 operators, including the following monopolies:

• Française des Jeux (FDJ)
• Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ)

None of them provide online casino games in France, except for poker. That is because online casinos remain prohibited in the country. 

Like countries without online casino regulation, residents gamble through offshore websites instead. However, this loophole has consequences.

France’s Bill seeks to authorize online casino operators. The bill states that gambling offshore exposes citizens to gambling harms and that an unregulated betting industry means less revenue for the government.

With this plead, online casinos might become legal in France soon. When that happens, the number of online casinos registered in the country will increase.

Poland: 1

(Lexology, Mondaq, Times Malta, CMS Malta)

Online gambling is a state monopoly in Poland, except for sports betting and lotteries. About 78% of online gambling activities in the country are legal. Total Casino is the country’s only legal online casino provider, operated by Totalizator Sportowy.

Despite having only one legal operator, the industry saw $ billion in revenue in

Spain: 70

(The Olive Press, ICLG)

When the government passed the Gambling Act in , all casino games became accessible nationwide. Operators must first apply for a permit. So far, the country has granted 70 licenses to casino operators. 

Spain recognizes the tendency of some residents to bet on offshore websites. Therefore, the law states that only licensed operators can allow players from Spain. The law also demands ISPs block unlicensed casino websites nationwide.

Switzerland: 10

(thisisnl.nl, Lexology, ICLG, Springer)

The Swiss Federal Gambling Board provides licensing and regulation to online casinos. The law dictates only land-based casinos operating in Switzerland can apply for a license.

Currently, only 21 land-based casinos in the country qualify for a license. As of , only 10 online casinos are available to Switzerland residents. 

Although that limits the Swiss’ online casino choices, % of them gambled online and offline in Meanwhile, only % solely gambled online in the same year.

Philippines: +

(Iskomunidad, Outsource Accelerator)

The Philippine government granted the Philweb Corporation control over online casinos in Philweb currently works with The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to regulate online gambling in the country.

Since then, the Philippines has been one of the fastest-growing online gambling hubs in the Southeast Asia region. 

In , the online casino industry grew via Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). PAGCOR currently provides licenses for 34 POGOs to operate. POGO’s purpose is to serve countries where online gambling is domestically illegal, like China.

Live dealer games are popular in the country, where most ladies manage online casino games through live streaming. Other forms of gambling offered by the Philippine online gambling industry are:

Singapore: 0

(Ministry of Home Affairs, Analytics Insight, National Council on Problem Gambling)

Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club are the country’s only legal online gambling operators based on their Remote Gambling Act. However, they only provide limited online gambling activities, namely the lottery and sports betting. 

Meanwhile, online casino games and websites are prohibited in Singapore. Therefore, there are no registered online casinos in the country.

As of , only % of Singaporeans gambled online due to the country’s strict gambling laws.

India: 0

(India Code)

India’s only gambling law was established during the rule of the British Government. It is called the Public Gambling Act of , and since it is centuries old, it has no mentions of laws about online gambling.

Regardless, the law still prohibits gambling. With that, there are no registered online casinos in India. Like the other countries where online casinos are illegal, Indian residents resort to offshore gambling websites. 

Japan: 0

(thisisnl.nl, ICLG)

Japan’s laws prohibit casinos from operating in the country. However, the laws are in a bit of a gray area for online casinos. 

Online gambling laws in Japan focus on banning corporations from providing services. That said, Japan has no registered online casino providers. 

However, since it is not illegal for individuals to gamble online, Japanese residents play online casino games through offshore websites. 

Final Thoughts

Gamblers don’t have to visit “brick-and-mortars” to bet on their favorite game as gadgets have made betting online possible. However, not all countries allow their residents to access websites or apps that offer online casino games.

Whatever the case, gamblers will find a way to play online casinos. Residents with no legal restrictions on gambling can still access casinos through foreign websites.

These locals are pleading for changes in online gambling laws. They believe better mandates will protect them from potential gambling harm. Moreover, the industry and country can thrive from the changes brought about by regulating online casinos.