Global sports betting hit new highs in 2024, with both Europe and the United States posting record figures, according to a new analysis from Wildz Group. The findings point to a market increasingly defined by mobile usage, in-play betting and the accelerating shift toward regulated and transparent frameworks.
Europe remains the world’s largest regulated sports-betting region, reaching €20.1bn last year – including €13.7bn from online channels. In comparison, US sports betting revenue climbed to $13.78 billion, a 25% annual increase as more states adopt mobile-first models.
In-Play Betting Is Becoming the Dominant Format
According to Optimove data cited in the report, more than half of all online bets in the U.S. last year were placed in-play. Analysts expect the global share of live betting to surpass 65% by 2026, marking one of the fastest behavioural shifts in the industry’s history.
Europe Vs. the US: Two Growth Stories Converging?
Forecasts from EGBA/H2 Gambling Capital indicate that Europe may approach €21bn in sports-betting GGR in 2025. Meanwhile, the American Gaming Association expects U.S. revenues to move toward $15bn, driven by product innovation and mobile engagement.
Ontario also continues to stand out. With C$63bn in wagers in FY2023–24, the province remains North America’s clearest benchmark for transparent reporting. Based on current momentum, total wagers for FY2024–25 could exceed C$75bn.
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Mobile Betting Continues to Rise
Mobile wagering has become the foundation of the global industry. In Europe, mobile accounted for 58% of online gambling revenue in 2024, with H2 projections suggesting this could rise to nearly 67% by 2029. In the U.S., mobile surpassed 90% of all bets in most regulated states.
Major Sporting Events Amplify Global Volumes
Large tournaments continue to drive unprecedented spikes in betting activity. OpenBet processed more than 140 million bets during EURO 2024 alone. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, is expected to surpass every previous betting record.
Operators Face the Same Challenge: How To Innovate In Accordance with Regulation
Despite strong growth, the report highlights rising compliance demands across Europe and North America. Affordability checks, AI-driven risk monitoring, and responsible-gaming standards are shaping how fast operators can expand new formats such as micro-betting and automated odds engines.
The report concludes that the next phase of global sports betting will belong to operators capable of merging innovation with responsible, mobile-first product design.
