How Many Online Casinos Operate Around The World?

How Many Online Casinos are there?

Ever since they first emerged on the scene in the late 90s, online casinos have progressively increased in popularity at quite a rapid pace. Simply put, the convenience and the perks that you get by playing at online casinos, such as never leaving your home, are the biggest appeal for many casino enthusiasts to make the transition from physical to digital establishments. The increasing demand consequently led to the creation of thousands of online casinos in the past two decades. Well, with this in mind, you have probably pondered the obvious question: how many online casinos are there?

Although the number of online casinos around the world has increased exponentially in the past twenty years, the biggest spike occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when online gambling increased up to 14% during the lockdowns. Consequently, the high demand for online casinos that saw existing online gambling operators increase their profits to record heights led to the creation of even more new online casinos. This is why it is no accident that there have been more new online casinos in the past four years than perhaps the entire decade before.

As a result, today, we have literally thousands of online casinos that cater to the needs of millions of online casino enthusiasts worldwide. In this in-depth article, we will break down the iGaming situation across the world, and take a look at how many online casinos there are currently out there. So, sit back, relax, and let’s see how many online casinos are out there.

The Exact Number of Online Casinos

As of May 2024, there are more than 4,800 online gambling operators and businesses across the world, which is a 4.5% increase from 2023. Out of this total number, online casinos make for over 2,000, with the number of new online gambling operators increasing on almost a monthly basis.

Needless to say, this is a pretty big number, which is why several studies show that the online gambling industry will reach over $180 billion by the end of 2024. This is approximately double the net worth of the online gambling industry in 2022 which was capped at $94.17 billion, with experts predicting that the iGaming market will grow even further by 2028 or by 11.64%.

What is even more interesting are the statistics behind the reasons why online gambling enthusiasts actually play at online casino establishments. With that being said, let’s have a look at the reasons why online players like to gamble at online casinos:

• A mean to make money – 11%
• Sharpen their skills – 18%
• For big wins – 27%
• Life-changing wins – 31%
• Enjoyment – 41%

Online Casinos Per Country

Now that we have covered the reasons why gamblers like to play at online casinos, let’s have a look at the number of online casinos in various countries around the world.

North America

USA – 200+

With a population close to 400 million across 51 states, the United States emerged as one of the biggest and most sought-after markets on the planet in just several short years. From here, it is no surprise to learn that despite the iGaming scene in the United States being a mix of regulated, unregulated, and grey areas, the online gambling industry in the country is worth billions of dollars. 

What is even more impressive is that out of 51 US states, there are only a handful of states that fully regulate online gambling. And even that is not ideal, per se, being that even the legalized markets impose tight regulations and restrictions on their players, giving their citizens a very limited number of online casinos to play at. With this in mind, let’s look at which US states that have fully legalized online gambling:

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

The following states are currently in the process of fully legalizing online gambling at some point in the future:

• New York
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi

Now, if we take into account all of the states where gambling in the USA is fully legal, where it is illegal, and states where online gambling is a grey area where off-shore casinos operate, we can conclude that there are more than 200 online casinos currently providing their services in the United States.

Considering that more than 10% of Americans like to bet or play at online gambling establishments, and the fact that iGaming is a big contributor to the economy of the United States, we can expect online gambling to be fully regulated across the entire country in the years to come. Especially since the value of the online gambling market rose from $8.7 billion to $9.5 billion in a matter of one year.

Canada 40+

Unlike the United States where at least some countries have online gambling fully legal, in Canada things are a bit more complicated. Due to the strict gambling laws, there are currently only 40 online casinos in the country. And even those that are not fully legal across the entire country, with the exception of Ontario, the only Canadian jurisdiction that allows online gambling under strict rules.

From here, it is quite clear that Canada is in the very early stages of legalizing online gambling and judging by the current situation, we doubt that we will see a fully regulated Canadian market in quite a long time.

Europe

Unlike North America, the online gambling scene in Europe is a bit more progressive. This is because even in countries that impose strict gambling regulations, there are still centralized online gambling authorities that allow online casinos to operate as long as they follow the rules.

United Kingdom – 180+

There are currently 2,439 that have obtained 3,368 licenses from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission to legally provide their services within the Kingdom. Out of this number, there are currently more than 180 online casinos that are allowed to operate in the United Kingdom. 

As in many jurisdictions, online casino gambling saw its biggest spike during the COVID-19 pandemic, when online gambling in the UK broke records in terms of statistics:

• 12% more gamblers during the lockdown

• 22.5% more engagement in online casino gambling in 2021

• More than 400 new job openings by January 2022

As of April 2024, there are more than 25 million online gambling enthusiasts in the United Kingdom, with the average bet per player being £2.57. The record-breaking statistics, as well as the exponential expansion of the online gambling scene in the UK, means that the iGaming industry in the Kingdom will only continue to grow and expand.

Italy – 150+

Italy is another country where online casino gambling is thriving, with currently having 150 online casinos out of a total of more than 200 online gambling operators. Known as the first European country to fully regulate online gambling in 2006, any operator that wishes to provide its gambling services to Italian customers will first have to apply for an Italian remote gambling license.

However, operators that provide services in Italy are banned from advertising betting and gambling games, and more importantly, are banned from seducing players with cash-winning incentives. 

Spain – 70+

Online gambling in Spain has been fully legal since 2011, the year when the government passed its nationwide Gambling Act. As a result, all casino games are legal in the country, with operators obliged to apply for a remote license prior to offering their services. At the moment of writing, there are more than 70 online casinos in Spain.

Similar to Italy, there are certain restrictions on gambling ads in the country. More specifically, online casino operators are only allowed to advertise their services in designated time slots during the day from 20:00 to 22:00.

Sweden – 18

In order for an operator to legally provide its services in Sweden it first has to obtain a license from the main Swedish gambling authority, the Spelinspektionen. As of 2024, there are over 18 online casinos that can legally operate within Sweden, making this country one of the most tightly regulated jurisdictions on the Old Continent.

Netherlands – 10

The Kingdom of Netherlands fully revised its policy on online gambling after passing the Dutch Remote Gambling Act of 2021. The new policy tightened the grip on illegal online gambling operators, making the licensing procedure more strict and extensive than ever before. As a result, there are just over 10 online casinos that have the blessing of the Kansspelautoriteit to legally provide their online gambling services.

Germany – 12

During the 2010s the online gambling laws in Germany were quite strange, to say the least. However, all of this changed with the new gambling legislation of 2021 that saw online gambling become legal. As of today, there are only 12 operators that have the approval of the government to provide their services, and this is out of a total of more than 70 applications.

And yet, the situation remains a bit tricky, and this is mainly due to two reasons: only poker and card games are legal, and each German state decides which casino games are going to be legal.

At the moment, online casino gaming is legal only in North-Rhine Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein, while online casino gaming under state monopoly is allowed only in Brandenburg, Saxony, Thuringia, and Bavaria.

Switzerland – 10

Gambling in Switzerland is regulated by the Swiss Federal Gambling Board, and only land-based operators are allowed to apply for an online casino license. As of today, there are 21 land-based operators that qualify for an iGaming license, with Switzerland having only 10 online casinos.

Despite the limitations, 21.5% of Swiss citizens gambled in online casinos alone.

Poland – 1

Despite about 80% of online gambling being legal in Poland, the country has only one legal online casino at the moment of writing – Total Casino, powered by Totalisator Sportowy. A state monopoly, the only gambling activities that are illegal in the country are sports betting and lotteries. Despite this, the Polish gambling market reported a mind-blowing $5.7 billion in revenue in 2020 alone.

France – 0

Despite being one of the biggest European countries in terms of population and territory, France has a relatively small online gambling industry that consists of only 15 operators. Moreover, all of these operators are regulated by two monopolies, Française des Jeux (FDJ) and Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ).

In addition, online casinos are completely banned in France, with the aforementioned 15 operators only allowed to offer online poker. Though there are loopholes used by French citizens to play at offshore casinos, France’s government is known for its no-compromise approach to battling illegal gambling providers.

Asia 

Philippines – 1000+

Without a doubt, the online gambling scene in the Philippines is one of the biggest both locally and internationally. Ever since 2002, when the government of the Philippines allowed the Philweb Corporation to monopolize online casino gambling, which then partnered with The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGSCOR), online casino gaming in the country has been constantly on the rise.

In addition, the gambling industry in the country grew even further in 2016, after the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) were allowed to enter the market. Today, PAGCOR has issued licenses to 34 POGO operators, with these operators serving as gambling providers in countries where online gambling is illegal, such as China.

Japan, Singapore, India – 0

Japan

Though the gambling laws in Japan generally prohibit casino gambling, there are certain laws that are somewhat of a grey area when it comes to online casinos.

This means that while Japan makes an effort to ban corporations from providing gambling services, online casino gambling is not regulated, and hence, not technically illegal. And while there are no legal online casinos, Japanese players are still allowed to play at offshore online casinos.

Singapore

Singapore prohibits online casino websites and entertainment, which is why there are no registered online casino operators in the country. The only online gambling operators that are legally allowed to provide services are the Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club, giving citizens from Singapore access to limited online gambling entertainment such as sports betting and lottery.

India

Being that India relies on gambling legislation that was passed during British Rule, the Public Gambling Act passed in 1867, online casino gambling is not regulated. Despite gambling being completely illegal in the country, there are no registered online casinos in India, and Indian players are known for frequently playing at offshore online casinos.

Australia & New Zealand – 0

Australia

Ever since the Australian government passed the notorious Interactive Gambling Act of 2021, online gambling has been illegal in the country. The only forms of online gambling activities allowed in the country are Lotteries and Sports Betting.

However, despite the ban, more than 11% of Australians have reported playing at offshore online casinos in 2022 alone. Despite the ban, the Australian online gambling ecosystem is still considered one of the biggest in the world, with the average annual losses of Australian players equalling $1,277, making them the biggest casino losers on the planet.

New Zealand

Similar to Australia, New Zealand also prohibits online casino gambling thanks to the Gambling Act passed in 2003. There are only two gambling providers authorized by the government, and these are Lotto NZ and TAB, which are allowed to offer only Keno, Lotto, Powerball, Bullseye, Racing, and Sports Betting.

Unlike Australia, however, the government of New Zealand allows its citizens to play at offshore online casinos, yet warns them that playing at not properly regulated online gambling operators exposes them to harm, as there are no laws to protect them.

Countries Where Online Gambling Is Illegal

If you follow us then you probably already know that the online casino ecosystems vary from country to country. This means that in some countries online casino gaming is completely legal, while in others is banned by law. This can be attributed to a plethora of different factors including socio-economic issues, cultural differences and traditions, beliefs, etc.

Now, despite the fact that there are many countries where online casinos are illegal, this doesn’t mean that you cannot find “illegal” online gambling operators in those particular jurisdictions. This is because players in such countries frequently find loopholes that enable them to circumvent the law and play at the so-called “offshore” online casinos. 

In other words, you can find an online casino operator in pretty much every country on the planet. However, whether those casinos are legally allowed to offer their services or they operate in the grey area will depend solely on each country individually.

With that being said, let’s first have a look at which countries is online casino gambling completely illegal.

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

Final Thoughts

The best way to stay safe when gambling online is to learn the gambling laws in your country. Each country regulates gambling in its own way, which is why it is very important to make sure and be up-to-date with what exactly you can do when it comes to gambling. Make sure to do your research, and always gamble responsibly, and you have nothing to worry about.

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