Gaming
In-game Gambling and Loot Boxes Market is expected to expand its roots at an average CAGR of 5.6 % between 2022 and 2032
The global in-game gambling and loot boxes market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% throughout the forecast period. The valuation of the industry is projected to reach US$ 32.7 Mn by 2032, from US$ 18.9 Mn in 2022.
The growing desire for high-end real-life sports gaming experiences around the globe is driving the demand for in-game gambling and loot boxes. Furthermore, in the near future, new trends and advancements in the sports and gaming industries are projected to stimulate the rise of the in-game gambling markets. However, payment data security concerns may stifle the in-game gambling and loot boxes market share expansion.
The gambling market is made up of firms (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that run gambling facilities such as casinos, bingo halls, video gaming terminals, lotteries, and off-track sports betting that provide gambling services and related items.
The major drivers encouraging in-game gambling and loot boxes market size expansion include factors such as expanding digital transformation among businesses and rising internet and mobile device usage around the world.
The creation of the next-generation gaming experience will be cloud-enhanced, and an ultimate fantasy gaming experience is expected to necessitate the use of a cloud platform.
As per the in-game gambling and loot boxes market study, the deployment of IoT, edge computing, 5G, and real-time analytics enabled by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) is expected to improve the in-game gambling markets.
Consumers went more to the internet platform to bridge their financial, social, and psychological crises during lockdowns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a beneficial impact on the in-game gambling and loot boxes market.
Consumer interest in online gambling platforms has increased as a result of restrictions in sporting events owing to lockdowns, according to a study done by Lund University in Sweden. In addition, numerous operators turned digital in response to the closing of many gaming venues. Many players increased their online gambling services, and bingo providers transferred their operations online, resulting in a beneficial market impact.
Online betting is likely to be the fastest-growing market in the medium term. The market has been taken over by artificial intelligence and machine learning.
During the projection period, the online gambling industry is expected to benefit from an increase in the female population in casinos, as well as the convenience of using a cashless means of payment when gaming. In addition, operators are providing a number of exciting tournaments and promos that newbies may find appealing. Every day, fresh bonus programmes and betting options are added to the mix.
Key Takeaways
- The changing gaming behaviours of consumers are projected to drive demand for gambling. The rising popularity of gambling applications and social gaming is projected to fuel the in-game gambling and loot boxes market’s growth in the future.
- In 2020, Asia Pacific was the largest region in the worldwide gambling market, accounting for 38% of the total. The second largest region, North America, accounted for 29% of the worldwide gaming market. In the worldwide gaming market, the Middle East was the tiniest region.
- Football betting has a substantial market share. Companies are concentrating their efforts on establishing novel platforms to meet a wide range of client needs and gain a competitive advantage in a crowded market.
- The mobile segment of the in-game gambling and loot boxes market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period.
Competitive Landscape
The worldwide casino gambling market is highly fragmented, with regional and international companies. Bet365, Entain PLC, The Flutter Entertainment PLC, and Kindred Group PLC are among the market’s major participants.
To increase their presence in the worldwide in-game gambling and loot boxes market and to develop their brand portfolio to cater to varied customer tastes, major firms are focusing on mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, and product innovation.
In the global online gaming market, mergers and acquisitions are the most popular approach, followed by expansion. Offerings, quality of gambling material, user experience, brand equity, customized payoffs, and access to numerous platforms are all criteria that key players compete on.
Recent Developments
LeoVegas Group unveiled a new layer of AI-powered messaging in September 2021 to expand the Group’s Safer Gambling service. Customers in the United Kingdom will be the first to get personalized onsite messages based on their behaviour and risk profile that educate and advise them about safer gaming.
DraftKings Inc. and Golden Nugget Online Gaming Inc. signed a formal agreement in August 2021, with DraftKings acquiring Golden Nugget Online Gaming in an all-stock deal. DraftKings was able to make use of Golden Nugget’s well-known brand, iGaming product experience, and combined database of more than 5 million customers as a result of the acquisition.
FanDuel Group, a subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment PLC, debuted its FanDuel Casino in New Jersey and Michigan in July 2021. Customers may now play live dealer blackjack, roulette, and baccarat at FanDuel Casino.
Powered by WPeMatico
The German games market has returned to growth: following a year in which revenue from games, games hardware and online gaming services declined for the first time after many years of growth, the first six months of 2025 have once again seen an increase in sales revenue. 4.6 billion euros in revenue was generated, which equates to an increase of 4% compared to the same period in the previous year.
This was announced by game – The German Games Industry Association at a press conference in advance of the opening of gamescom next week. The sources of this data are the market research firm YouGov and data.ai (a Sensor Tower company). Games hardware enjoyed the biggest increase during the first half of 2025. Propelled among other things by the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, revenues in this area grew by 17%. The online gaming services market segment also increased, by 4%. Games, on the other hand, experienced a small decline of 2%, to 2.7 billion euros.
“The German games market’s growth in the first six months of 2025 sends a powerful signal for the start of gamescom. This year’s event has also set a new record for the number of exhibitors. Combined with the increase in exhibition space and the many top companies expected to attend this year’s event, gamescom is set to drive even more growth in the German and international games market. This year’s theme – ‘Games – perfect entertainment’ – is fully in keeping with this boost, as 44 million Germans view games as the entertainment of our age. And not just for themselves: the vast majority of video game players believe that games are particularly good for bringing people of all ages together. It is yet another way that gamescom will be the perfect place to be,” said Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – The German Games Industry Association, which is a co-organiser of gamescom.
The theme of gamescom 2025 – “Games – perfect entertainment” – reflects the reality in Germany, as was underscored by the findings of a representative survey conducted by the market research company YouGov: some two thirds of Germans consider video games to be the entertainment of our age. This equates to around 44 million people. It is a finding that is also supported by the experiences of the people playing video games. Nearly all of them say that they enjoy playing games (94%), find them entertaining (93%), and see them as a good way to relax (91%). In fact, 86% of video game players say that games put them in a good mood, and 8 in 10 players spend less time thinking about crises or worries thanks to games.
The average age of video game players in Germany is now nearly 40 – and it is continuing to rise. This is because the largest increases in the number of players are in the older age groups. Games have long since established themselves as a medium for all generations. The video game players think so, too: 85% of them say that games offer something for every age group, while 88% enjoy playing with other family members. 79% of players in Germany believe that games can help to bring younger and older people together, and three quarters of players think that playing games together as a family can help people to gain a better understanding of digital media.
The post German Games Market Grows in the First Half of 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Avalanche Foundation and Helika, a leading provider of technical and creative solutions for the video games industry, have officially launched their joint video game accelerator program and opened applications for the first cohort.
The newly announced strategic partnership is designed to engage both Web3-native studios and traditional game developers exploring blockchain integration. The accelerator aims to identify and support the next generation of studios building at the frontier of blockchain-based gaming.
The program is focused on product interaction and is designed to discover, support, and fast-track promising studios and projects building on the Avalanche blockchain. It will provide selected projects with unparalleled access to resources, mentorship from industry leaders, technical support, activations, and funding opportunities for qualifying or top-performing teams.
The accelerator is open to seasoned teams building high-quality, engaging experiences across platforms, from mobile to desktop and everything in between. Projects with prior traction or cross-platform aspirations are especially encouraged to apply.
The program will run for 3 months, with virtual onboarding and IRL showcases planned across major gaming and blockchain events.
What selected teams get:
Funding & Resources: $25,000 in initial support and up to $125,000 in additional funding for qualifying or top-performing teams.
Expert Guidance: Mentorship from game veterans, blockchain experts, and industry leaders through group sessions and 1:1 consultations.
Analytics Support: Comprehensive analytics solutions to track performance, improve retention, and optimize monetization strategies.
Blockchain Integration: Dedicated assistance for integrating with the Avalanche blockchain and optimizing technical performance.
Community & Growth: Activations with partner communities and platforms and support in player acquisition, community building, go-to-market strategies.
Helika Advisory Access: Access to specialized experts from Helika’s network for tailored support.
Ecosystem Access: Direct connection to a vibrant network of developers, investors, publishers, and Web3 enthusiasts.
Showcase Opportunities: A final Demo Day event to present games to investors, publishers, and ecosystem partners.
“We are excited to partner with the Avalanche Foundation to create a world-class accelerator for Web3 gaming. Avalanche’s robust and scalable infrastructure makes it an ideal environment for innovative game development. Studios need tools that work, data that matter, and real support from people who understand what it means to build in this space — this accelerator provides all of that, plus a direct line into a powerful Web3 ecosystem,” said Anton Umnov, Founder and CEO of Helika.
“Avalanche is focused on the long game. There’s no shortage of flashy ideas. What’s missing is the support that helps studios turn those ideas into real, playable, scalable games. Avalanche has long been the go-to chain for speed and innovation, and now we’re channeling that energy into the future of gaming, supporting teams who understand the nuance of player experience, community building, and long-term value creation,” said Parker Heath, Ava Labs Gaming Partnerships Lead.
Avalanche plays host to a vibrant lineup of video games, including Off The Grid and Maple Story Universe, all pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in blockchain-powered play. Thanks to its customizable Avalanche L1s, lightning-fast transaction speeds and low fees, developers can tailor unique environments for their games without compromising on user experience.
Helika has become a cornerstone for modern game studios, equipping developers with real-time insights into player behavior, on-chain economies, and engagement metrics. From Proof of Play and Parallel to Nexon, Ubisoft, and Com2Us, Helika’s platform is shaping how developers build, balance, and scale their games in real-time. This accelerator takes that impact further by embedding support into the earliest stages of development when it matters most.
The post Avalanche and Helika Launch New Gaming Accelerator – Applications Now Open appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Gaming
Unlocking games revenue: player behavior and payment trends in the west | Newzoo x Tebex Whitepaper
Tebex, the leading payments solution for gaming, reaching $1Bn in processed payments and powering over 30,000 web stores, is launching the first industry-wide look at payment trends in EU and NA with Newzoo on Tuesday, August 12 at 09:00 AM CEST.
Why This Data Matters
In a maturing Western games market with slowing payer growth (North America: +1.1% CAGR, Europe: +3.1% CAGR, 2023-2027), studios must shift from acquiring new players to maximizing value from existing ones. The data reveals critical insights into player motivations, spending patterns, and payment preferences, enabling developers to craft targeted monetization strategies that boost revenue, enhance retention, and align with player expectations.
Global Market Snapshot (2025)
- Market Size: $188.9B (+3.4% YoY), with North America ($52.7B, 28%) and Europe ($33.1B, 18%) driving 46% of global spend despite housing only 20% of players (3.54B total).
- Payer Spending Power: North America leads with $324.9 avg. annual spend per payer; Europe averages $125.4 ($170.0 Western, $51.6 Eastern).
- Value: High per-payer spend in Western markets highlights the opportunity to deepen monetization through tailored strategies.
Spending Motivations Drive Strategy
- North America: 34% of payers spend to unlock exclusive content, 29% for personalization (character customization), reflecting a desire for self-expression. Studios can capitalize by offering unique cosmetics and content packs to drive engagement.
- Europe: 28% prioritize deals/offers, 21% value ad-free experiences, showing value-driven behavior. Discounted bundles and subscription models can increase conversion in this region.
- Value: Understanding regional motivations allows studios to align offerings with player priorities, enhancing loyalty and spend.
Diversified Spending Patterns
- North America: 27% of payers invest in content packs, power-ups, and in-game currencies, with subscriptions (24%) and battle passes (23%) also strong.
- Europe: In-game currencies and content packs lead (21% each), followed by subscriptions (20%) and gear/time-savers (18% each).
- Value: Diverse spending across virtual goods underscores the need for varied monetization options to capture a broad range of player preferences, boosting average transaction value (ATV).
Payment Methods Unlock Higher Spend
- ATV Trends (2025): Overall, ATV rose from $30 (2024) to $40. BNPL (North America: $85.0, Europe: $72.0) and crypto (North America: $94.8, Europe: $111.6) outperform cards (North America: $52.2, Europe: $42.7).
- Dual-Method Impact: Players using cards + BNPL/crypto maintain transaction frequency while spending more.
- Value: Offering alternative payment methods like BNPL and crypto can significantly increase ATV, especially in Western markets, without sacrificing transaction volume.
Revenue by Platform and Genre
- Microtransactions (MTX): Drive 49% of PC and 52% of console revenue in North America; 42% (PC) and 51% (console) in Europe. Mobile is near 100% in-game revenue.
- Top Genres: North America favors shooters, Europe prioritizes sports, with RPGs and puzzles strong in both.
- Value: High MTX revenue and genre preferences guide studios to focus on live services and region-specific content to maximize engagement.
Strategic Takeaways
- Deepen Monetization: With modest payer growth, studios must focus on existing players by offering personalized content and value-driven deals.
- Diversify Payment Options: Cards and wallet still dominate in volume, but integrating BNPL and crypto can unlock higher ATV, especially in Western markets.
- Align with Player Values: Transparency, fairness, and seamless payment experiences reduce churn and build loyalty in a competitive market.
- Understand the why and how players spend: NA players are more likely to spend for personalization and self-expression, while EU players are more value-conscious, prioritizing deals and an ad-free experience.
Quotes
Liam Wiltshire Head of Payments & Compliance at Tebex
“The future of gaming is about flexibility – meeting players where they are, with the methods they trust.”
This quote summarizes the importance of adapting to player-preferred payment methods like wallets, BNPL, and crypto to enhance accessibility and trust.
“Virtual currencies and microtransactions are no longer just revenue streams – they’re becoming strategic levers for retention and differentiation.”
This emphasizes the evolving role of microtransactions beyond revenue, focusing on engagement and player retention.
“Today’s players want to know what they’re paying for – and why. How you monetize matters more than ever.”
This highlights the need for transparency and fairness in monetization to build player trust and loyalty.
The post Unlocking games revenue: player behavior and payment trends in the west | Newzoo x Tebex Whitepaper appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
-
Africa7 days agoLogifuture-powered Bet9ja partners with heavyweight boxing sensation Moses Itauma
-
Australia6 days ago
Tracy Parker Joins Judging Panel for Inaugural RTG Global Awards
-
Australia6 days ago
JCM Global Celebrates 70 Years of Industry-leading Innovation at AGE
-
Asia6 days ago
Philippine Senate to Launch Inquiry into Online Gaming industry
-
Australia5 days ago
VGCCC Imposes $80,000 Fine on Online Bookmaker QuestBet
-
Asia5 days ago
Faster Guest Entry at Korea’s INSPIRE Entertainment Resort’s Casino, Powered by Regula’s Technology
-
Latest News3 days ago
Be Heard Above the Noise: Booming Games’ Dorota Gruszka on Standing Out in the Crowded Slot Studio Market
-
illegal gambling5 days agoColjuegos Transfers More Than $127M to the Subsidized Health System in Colombia During H1 2025
