Gaming
Optimove US Gaming Pulse Report – May 2025
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.
The post Optimove US Gaming Pulse Report – May 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
CEO of GGBET UA Serhii Mishchenko
GGBET UA kicks off the “Keep it GG” promotional campaign
A leading gaming brand in Ukraine has launched a collection of ads featuring the tagline “Keep it GG” as part of an extensive communications initiative. The videos are currently being broadcast on Ukrainian TV, online platforms, and the brand’s social media accounts.
“GG” (Good Game) started in video game culture, yet its significance has far surpassed the literal meaning of “well played.” Currently, it symbolizes a worldwide sign of honor and gratitude for the feelings exchanged following a match, no matter the outcome. This concept served as the basis for GGBET UA’s latest marketing campaign. The video series embodies a unique GG atmosphere: rather than using a conventional voiceover, it incorporates complete audio tracks; the narrative features both literal and metaphorical allusions to sports and esports terms, alongside in-game and casino aspects; and prominent Ukrainian footballers are among the main characters.
“Every game, every match, every tournament is a moment that brings people together. For us, it’s important that every interaction with GGBET gives users that good game feeling — an experience that outlives the result and leaves vivid emotions behind, just like after watching a match,” comments CEO of GGBET UA, Serhii Mishchenko.
Going beyond the traditional view of GG also signifies a more profound implication — the brand’s strategic focus. The international brand, which has concentrated on esports for several years and attained significant success in esports betting and collaborations, is now adopting best practices to enhance traditional sports in regional markets. GGBET UA showcases a wider strategy for Good Game via collaborations (FC Dynamo Kyiv, FC Polissya, and the Ukrainian Basketball Federation), by organizing its own events and special projects, including initiatives that blend sports with esports, like the Match of LeGGends: Derby showmatch on the server featuring esports athletes and football players.
The brand’s creative team collaborated with a Ukrainian advertising agency and a Ukrainian production company to develop the commercials. GGBET UA made this choice to assist the local creative sector amid the war.
The post GGBET UA kicks off the “Keep it GG” promotional campaign appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Christer Fahlstedt
Paf has halved its loss limit since 2018
Nordic gaming operator Paf is taking another decisive step toward responsible gambling by lowering its mandatory annual loss limit for all customers from €16,000 to €15,000. The move is part of a long-term strategy focused on sustainability, player protection, and ethical revenue growth.
With this latest reduction, Paf has now cut its original loss limit—first introduced in 2018 at €30,000—by 50%. The mandatory cap applies across all gaming categories and to every platform operated by the company.
“We are extremely proud that through concrete actions and long-term investments in responsible gaming, we have now halved the first loss limit we introduced in 2018,” said Christer Fahlstedt, CEO of Paf. “It clearly demonstrates that we are serious about our ambition to be a sustainable entertainment company.”
Long-term ambition: €8,000 annual loss limit
The new €15,000 threshold represents another step toward Paf’s previously stated long-term goal of lowering the annual loss limit to €8,000 per player.
“We have been transparent about our ambition to lead the development toward a healthier gaming market,” Fahlstedt added. “Unlike many operators, we are prepared to say no to revenue that comes from unsustainable gaming. However, this transition must happen gradually to ensure long-term stability in a highly competitive market.”
High-intensity player segments phased out
As part of the reduction, Paf will continue to reshape its customer segmentation model. Revenue from the so-called orange segment—players with annual losses between €15,000 and €30,000—will be phased out entirely over time.
Paf has already eliminated revenue from its red segment, which previously consisted of customers losing more than €30,000 annually. The latest changes further reinforce the company’s shift away from high-intensity gambling behavior toward more sustainable play levels.
“Removing the orange segment is a deliberate and important decision,” said Daniela Johansson, Deputy CEO and Chief Responsibility Officer at Paf. “It clearly signals that we do not want revenue that isn’t sustainable over time—especially when our mission is to create long-term benefits for society.”
Call for shared limits across the industry
In addition to mandatory loss limits, Paf customers can set their own voluntary lower limits. While these safeguards have proven effective in curbing harmful behavior, Paf emphasizes that broader industry action is needed.
“Loss limits have a real and measurable impact on player behavior and can stop problems before they escalate,” Fahlstedt said. “But customers can easily switch operators. That’s why common national deposit limits are essential, and why unlicensed gambling must be addressed.”
Paf was the first international gaming operator to introduce mandatory loss limits, and the company continues to advocate for stronger, shared responsibility standards across regulated markets.
The post Paf has halved its loss limit since 2018 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Circus Jackpot
TaDa Gaming Releases Circus Jackpot
Award-winning TaDa Gaming has built a name for delivering differentiation for operator platforms with its unique fish-shooting games. Combining the thrill of cinematic video animations with recognisable casino mechanics, these multiplayer games offer a new way to play and win with skill-influenced challenges and in-game progression.
Latest release, Circus Jackpot, takes the action into the Big Top Tent for a fantastical procession of characters, creatures and Awakening Bosses, each one bringing multipliers and triggering bonus games when players successfully take them down.
And this is no ordinary circus: shoals of lower value fish swirl around the tent to bring easy win multipliers from 2x – 20x while Giant Medium Fish raise the game to 80x and the Golden Killer Whale offers up to 100x.
A colony of crabs including Bomb, Drill, Hammer and Wheel versions can each deliver a unique effect when triggered. The Hammer Crab can unleash the power of thunder and the Wheel Crab triggers a bonus roulette game for up to 800x; while the Bomb Crab will detonate a chain bomb attack and the Drill Crab will penetrate through the crowd for maximum impact on explosion.
Players can be strategic on timing blasts. Capturing the Lightning Chain Fish will trigger the Lightning Chain and take out fish, one by one; while the Vortex Fish will create a sea of swirling water that sucks all the surrounding creatures into it.
With up to four players in Circus Jackpot at any time, the first shots are fired from Rocket Cannon positions. Each shot builds up the Free Deep Sea Whirlpool weapon which can be strategically used for full screen wipeouts; while a random Flame Bomb can also trigger, adding to the excitement and win potential.
Weaponry is further enhanced by the Tiger Power and Dragon Power uplifts, designed to take down the Awakening Bosses. These are the Mermaid (100x – 1200x); the Ghost Ship (100x – 1200x); the Thunder Dragon with up to 1980x; and the Wild Hog(60x – 2500x).
Capture any of these Bosses and watch their effects from performances and collisions to raise the multiplier, to the Wild Hog bonus game of Tug of War, where the generous piggy will give 60x – 200x to losers while winners can pull 220x – 2500x.
New characters to appear in Circus Jackpot include the Cash Clown and King Tiger. Targeting the unicyclist Cash Clown will build the multiplier to 350x while a successful shot will make the Clown spin his magic hat in a superb bonus game animation and pull out Coins (10x), White Rabbits(20x – 150x) or the King Tiger Boss, who brings the biggest game multiplier of all.
King Tiger is the star of the show. His party piece is to jump through the Consecutive Fire Rings and Colour Fire Rings at high speed, increasing the multiplier as he soars through the hoops.
Each mile covered is shown on the screen in a spectacular animation. And if King Tiger Boss can clear all the hoops in the challenge, he’ll provide up to a staggering 4800x win potential.
With Mega, Major and Mini jackpots also to be won, this is the new shoot and win game that will have players glued to the screen.
A straightforward UI holds all the controls, with added features for Aim to target specific creatures and Auto to create target lists, giving players strategic agency. Simple rules and descriptions of the characters and their effects make onboarding easier and enable players to get straight into the action with Circus Jackpot.
Sean Liu, Director of Product Management, TaDa Gaming, said: “TaDa’s glocalisation skills enhance our standing as the No.1 provider for fish-shooting. Circus Jackpot takes the highlights from the fish-shooting genre and seamlessly builds in new Bosses and features to deliver big potential in an expertly localised adventure to suit all player levels.”
Available in over 15 languages with 100+ currency choices, Circus Jackpot is available to play from 10th February 2026.
The post TaDa Gaming Releases Circus Jackpot appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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