The iGaming industry is still growing fast, and the outlook remains strong heading into the next several years. Most current forecasts point to steady revenue growth, supported by mobile betting, new regulations, live dealer games, and rising demand for digital entertainment.
Legal real-money iGaming is available in 7 states, including:
Maine recently legalized online casinos, but has not yet launched them, while Nevada allows online poker but not full online casinos.
Online gambling includes casino games, sports betting, poker, and other real-money gaming products played on digital platforms. As more states and countries open the door to legal online wagering, revenue projections for iGaming continue to move higher.
What The Projections Show
Recent market estimates show a wide range, but they all point in the same direction: growth. Grand View Research projects the global online gambling market to reach $153.57 billion by 2030, while other 2026-era reports place the market in the $202 billion range by 2033, both with double-digit growth rates.
Alberta just launched online casinos this month. 23 operators went live right away, and Alberta joined Ontario as the second market to be added in Canada.
In the United States, the pace is even faster. One forecast has the U.S. online gambling market rising to $14.79 billion by 2031 —at a 16.51% compound annual growth rate.
In the first quarter (2026) alone, seven legal online casino states generated more than $3 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR).
Why iGaming Keeps Growing
Several trends are pushing revenue higher. Mobile devices make it easier for users to play anytime, while live dealer games and AI-powered personalization create a more engaging experience.
Regulation is another major factor. When states or countries legalize online casino play or sports betting, operators gain access to new customers and new revenue streams. That is a big reason why regulated markets often grow faster than older, mature ones.
But it has been a long row to hoe.
U.S. Growth is a Big Story
The U.S. market is one of the strongest growth engines for iGaming because regulation happens state by state. That patchwork system creates both limits and opportunities, but it also means each new state can add meaningful revenue.
The American Gaming Association reported that iGaming revenue across the seven states with legal online casinos topped $10.7 billion in 2025, up 27.6% year over year. Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other early adopters continue to lead the market.
Key Risks to Watch
Even with strong projections, iGaming growth is not guaranteed to stay this fast. Regulatory changes, higher taxes, tighter ad rules, and stronger responsible gambling requirements can slow expansion.
Sweepstakes casinos and verified social casinos add more competition for licensed operators, while offshore sites and other unregulated platforms can also pull revenue away from regulated markets. In mature markets, growth may slow as player acquisition becomes more difficult.
But with lawmakers in states like New York, Ohio, and even Washington D.C., considering legalizing online casinos, it appears to be only a matter of time before it becomes more commonplace.
Outlook For 2026 and Beyond
The overall picture is still positive. Most forecasts suggest the iGaming industry will keep posting healthy gains through the rest of the decade, even if the growth rate becomes more moderate in mature markets.
For publishers, operators, and investors, the main takeaway is simple: iGaming revenue growth is still strong, but the biggest wins are likely to come from regulated expansion, better mobile products, and smarter user engagement.
