Executive Summary – Optimove US Gaming Pulse Report (May 2025)

The May 2025 report analyzes data from over 3.2 million U.S. players and 21 million global players to benchmark performance across casino and sports betting.

Key Insights:

U.S. Players Spend More: U.S. bettors consistently outperformed the global average in deposit amounts, averaging $604 in May 2025 marking a 10% year-over-year increase for the US compared to just 2% globally.

Casino Activity Remains Strong: U.S. casino bettors averaged $8,259 over the period, 6.2x the global average of $1,329 — ending at $7,928 in May 2025. Despite a slight slowdown since January, the number of U.S. casino bettors grew 30% year-over-year by May, compared to 14% globally.

Sports Betting Surges, Then Slows: U.S. average monthly sports betting peaked at $1,001 in May 2025, versus $380 globally. However, the number of U.S. sports bettors declined, showing only a 14% year-over-year increase in May — while global numbers remained stable, slightly decreasing to 97% compared to the May 2024 baseline.

Global Players More Engaged: Global players showed consistently higher engagement, averaging 8.9 days per month per active customer in May 2025, compared to 7.9 days in the U.S. — a 12% engagement gap.

Retention Higher Globally: While close, global retention remained stronger, reaching 71% in May 2025, compared to 65% in the U.S.

Conclusion:
While the U.S. market continues to lead in player spend and betting volumes, global markets show superior engagement and retention. U.S. growth remains closely linked to seasonal events and regulatory expansion, with future success tied to boosting long-term customer engagement and retention strategies.

Report Metrics:

• Source: Betting trends in United States compared to the global benchmark in the trailing 12 months (May 2024-2025)
• Database: A 12-month average of over 3.2 million active players per month in the U.S. and over 21.3 million globally.

Category: Average Deposit Amount

Key findings: Average Deposit Amounts Greatest in the US

In terms of monthly average total deposit amounts, the US consistently outpaces the global average, with an average deposit value 2.6 times higher throughout the period.

The U.S. average kept the highest global average in May 2025 with $604 average deposit amount. marking a 10% year-over-year increase, while the 12-month average leading to May 2025 stood at $550.

Global deposit amounts remained relatively stable, reaching $214 in May 2025, representing a 2% increase in May year over year.

Definition of Average Deposit Amount: The average deposit amount is calculated by taking the total sum of all deposits and dividing it by the number of Sports and Casino bettors (players) who have made at least one deposit.

Category: Total Monthly Casino Betting Amount & Number of Casino Bettors Growth

Key findings: The US has been leading in both betting amount and number of casino bettors’ growth

Throughout the period, the US consistently outpaced global averages, with an average of $8,259 per bettor over the period compared to $1,329 globally. US ending at $7,928 in May 2025 while the global average stands on $1344.

The number of casino bettors in the US market showed a slowdown over the past two months following a peak in January. However, the year-over-year growth remains strong, reaching 130% by May 2025 compared to the May 2024 baseline of 100% (a 30% increase). In contrast, global growth was more moderate, rising to 114% over the same period.

Definition of Total Monthly Casino Bet Amount: The average casino bet amount is the total sum of all casino bets and divided by the number of bettors who have placed at least one casino bet.

Definition of Casino Bettors Growth Trend: calculated by dividing the total number of casino bettors each month by the number of casino bettors in May 2024, which serves as the baseline (100%).

Category: Total Monthly Sports Betting Amount & Number of Sport Bettors Growth

Key findings: The US consistently outpaced global averages in monthly average sports bet amounts peaking at $1,150 in March 2025, however with a decrease in number of sport bettors by May 2025.

Throughout the period, the US keeps outpaced global averages in monthly average sports bet amounts. The US average was at $1,001 in May 2025, however with a notable decrease compared to May 2024.

In contrast, the global average remained steady, reaching $380 in May 2025.

In terms of the number of sport bettors, the US market experienced a sharp decrease in May 2025, reaching only 14% increase in May 2025 compared to May 2024.

Global growth remained more stable, changing from 100% to 97% over the same period.

Definition of Total Monthly Sport Bet Amount: The average sport betting amount is the total sum of all sports bets and divided by the number of bettors who have placed in least one sport bet.

The Sport Bettors Growth Trend: calculated by dividing the total number of sport bettors each month by the number of sport bettors in May 2024, which serves as the baseline (100%).

Category: Average Number of Activity Days per Active Customer

Key findings: the global market consistently maintained a higher engagement level than the US.

The global market keeps consistently maintaining a higher engagement level than the US, with 12% more activity days on average per active customer throughout the period. In May 2025 the US average stands at 7.9 days per month per active customer while the global average stands at 8.9.

Definition of Average Activity Days: The average number of activity days is the total number of activity days divided by the number of bettors who have at least one activity day.

Category: Average Active Retention Rate

Key findings: Although retention rates remained relatively close, the global market consistently outperformed the US.

While retention rates between the US and global markets remained close throughout the period, the global rate consistently outperformed the US in most months.
The global average on May 2025 stands at 71% compared to 65% in the US.

Definition of Active Retention Rate: The percentage of bettors who were active in the preceding month and remained active in the current month.