Majority favors predominantly white demographic, according to survey results.
Firing Up the Gambling Sector in KSA
In the reports of country KSA's gambling regulator, something fascinating is unveiled.
Licensed operators are dominating the scene, favored by 87% to 95% of users, overshooting the 2021 target of 80%, according to iGB reports. Michael Groten, head of the regulator, revels in this accomplishment, attributing this sky-high preference to the increased visibility of legal operators due to advertising opportunities.
Online casinos account for 27.25% (€1.09 billion) of the total GGR, marking a 34% surge compared to the previous year. Land-based casinos, on the other hand, hold a share of 33.75%, increasing by 19%. Surprisingly, residents of KSA spend comparatively less on games than their European counterparts, as they aren't as "generous" as those in France, Finland, and Denmark, but "more generous" than Irish players.
The GGR for the first half of 2024 in KSA amounted to around €752 million, showing an 8% increase from the second half of last year. Sports betting, albeit a small part of the market, has witnessed a tripling of companies' income since the market's opening in 2021. Bookmakers account for 9% of the market, with online bookmakers taking up 7%. Land-based betting is restricted to two monopolistic companies, Zeturf, and TOTO Winkel.
Lottery operators control 30% of the market, but their grip is slowly losing its strength. In 2022, they accounted for 34%. Despite the absence of an online presence, the lottery sector continues to face challenges due to strict Islamic-based gambling laws.
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A Roundup of Global and Regional Gambling Trends
While KSA's gambling sector poses challenges, the world of online gambling is booming. The global online gambling market is expected to reach a whopping $152.7 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 6.75%. The Middle East and North Africa have shown growing interest in online gaming platforms, despite strict regulations, with many international casinos tailoring their services to Arabic speakers.
Despite legal restrictions, online gambling is possible in KSA through the use of VPNs and international platforms. Top casino apps favored by those in Saudi Arabia usually offer popular games such as Teen Patti and Coin Pusher. Sports betting is not yet legalized, but some international online sportsbooks offer services to KSA residents using workarounds. Lotteries are scarce due to Islamic-based laws, but global trends suggest a continuous shift towards online gaming platforms.
- The KSA's gambling regulator's reports reveal that licensed operators dominate the gambling scene, with a preference of 87% to 95% from users, exceeding the 2021 target of 80%.
- In 2022, online casinos accounted for 27.25% of the total GGR, marking a significant 34% surge compared to the previous year.
- Sports betting, although a small part of the market, has witnessed a tripling of companies' income since the market's opening in 2021, accounting for 9% of the market, with online bookmakers taking up 7%.
- Despite strict Islamic-based gambling laws, global trends suggest a continuous shift towards online gaming platforms in KSA, with many international casinos tailoring their services to Arabic speakers.
