The Most Perspective Gaming Markets in 2025

The casino industry is one of the most dynamic and rapidly developing commercial sectors in the world. According to the Statista analytical agency, by the end of 2025, the total revenue from entertainment for money is expected to reach $449.67 billion. The average annual growth rate of the niche will remain at least 3.21% until 2029.

The most significant gambling trend of this year was the mass launch of new markets.

The list of top jurisdictions in 2025 includes:

• India;
• Nigeria;
• Brazil;
• Vietnam.

Online Casino Market experts have prepared a comprehensive review of each region, highlighting key regulatory features and current trends.

For detailed advice on implementing an iGaming project, taking into account the specifics of the chosen country, please contact our managers.

Order a service

Indian Entertainment Market: General Information

At the end of 2024, the local casino sector’s turnover was estimated at $3.49 billion. According to Mordor Intelligence forecasts, by 2029, the revenue of local gambling companies will exceed $7.24 billion. The expected average annual growth rate is 15.68%.

The main factors affecting the rapid growth of the local industry are:

1. Huge audience. The country's population at the end of 2024 was 1.4 billion people. Of these, 954 million are active network users, and about 448 million are regularly interested in gaming products.
2. Rapid scaling of IT infrastructure. The main emphasis of the local digital ecosystem is on the mobile format with access to high-speed Internet. More than 77% of all online traffic is accounted for by such customers. In early 2025, India overtook China for the first time in terms of total entertainment app downloads, and last year, 15 billion games were installed.
3. Low connection costs. According to The Economic Times, the average price per gigabyte in India is less than $0.26. For comparison, in the US, this figure is $12.37, and in the UK — $6.66.
4. Global transition to Web3. The local population is loyal to advanced technological trends such as decentralisation, VR, and AI technologies. A survey conducted by NDTV Profit showed that at least 30% of 450 Indian companies specialising in Web3 are engaged in iGaming.

Casino Niche Management at the State Level

The industry has been regulated throughout the country since the late 19th century. The first list of requirements, the Public Gambling Act, was published and came into force back in 1867.

In recent years, the jurisdiction’s legislation has undergone significant changes. Today, there is no unified program for monitoring the betting sector in the region, and all issues are resolved at the level of local government agencies.

Each state can establish its rules and allow or prohibit certain types of entertainment for money.

The most attractive directions for investors are the following:

• Sikkim;
• Nagaland;
• Goa.

All types of gaming are permitted in these jurisdictions, including all formats of online solutions and skill-based content.

Basic Demands for Operators Who Apply for an Indian Licence

Since each state has its policy, the rules for obtaining permits differ in many ways.

Online Casino Market experts have compiled a list of general conditions that are relevant for any entrepreneur who wants to start working with a local audience:

• registration of a legal entity with a physical address in the country;
• confirmation of compliance with international KYC/AML requirements;
• payment of a flat tax rate of 30% on winnings and 28% on the company's total turnover (the standard was introduced at the legislative level in 2023);
• connection to the UPI payment interface;
• support for Hindi and other local languages.

Nigeria: Useful Tips for a Quick Entry to the African Market

The country is the largest gaming hub in West Africa. Licences have been issued in the region since the early 2000s. Legislation regarding betting practically does not change. Such stability attracts foreign investors.

There are 2 levels of regulation in the jurisdiction:

1. A permit of a single state standard. Documents are issued by an authorised body, the National Lottery Regulation Commission.
2. Local licences. Operators can obtain such certificates at their discretion after the application has been approved by the NLRC. The most famous provincial regulator is the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority (LSLGA).

There are several types of certificates in different entertainment industries.

The most popular ones are:

• a licence for the provision of bookmaking services, Sport Betting Permit;
• a general document for the distribution of content, Casino Gaming Permit.

Each authorisation is granted for 5 years.

Requirements for Applicants

The demands are considered quite lenient. In particular, investors should not register a legal entity with a physical address in the region.

Key conditions include:

• non-refundable fee for processing — 2 million naira (about $1,400);
• licence payment of 100 million naira ($68,000);
• minimum authorised capital of 30 million naira;
• provision of complete information about the board of directors, organisational structure, service distribution channels, providers, etc.

Another mandatory requirement for Nigerian operators is documentary proof of interaction with several local authorities, such as:

• NIPC;
• SCUML;
• NOTAP;
• FIRS;
• CAC.

Legal gambling companies are subject to a flat 3% tax on monthly turnover:

• 1% of the proceeds are transferred to the National Lottery Regulatory Commission;
• 2% is sent to the state trust fund.

Advantages of Entering the Nigerian Casino Market

The country attracts investors with its stable economic and political environment, as well as the openness of the local audience to new technologies and various niche trends.

Benefits of implementing an iGaming project in Nigeria:

1. Rapidly growing young audience. At the end of 2024, 229 million people lived in the state. This is the most densely populated region on the continent. According to experts from The Economist, this figure will grow to 400 million by 2050. Approximately 41% of citizens are aged 14 years and older.
2. Loyal licensing conditions. In 2024, the government launched a new program aimed at offshore brands. According to the current regulation, foreign investors can obtain an integrated permit for 5 years for $500,000. The amount includes all fees and commissions.
3. Advanced digital ecosystem. The region focuses on a mobile audience, so network coverage is available throughout almost the entire country. Separately, it is worth noting the growing popularity of local payment agents, USSD services, and decentralised solutions.

Brazil: the Most Dynamic and Fastest-Growing Casino Jurisdiction

Many industry experts call the region a “sleeping giant” with huge technological and economic potential. It is the largest Portuguese-speaking country. Over 214 million people live there.

The first steps towards the legalisation of the market took place in 2018. After a long-term ban on the organisation of any entertainment for money, sports betting activities were allowed in Brazil.

In 2023, the government officially launched the online casino vertical. The SPA became the main regulator. It began to operate fully in January 2025 and is now the leading force in matters of monitoring the legal compliance of the gambling sector.

The agency’s responsibilities include:

• issuance of licenses to entrepreneurs;
• collection of niche taxes;
• monitoring of compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) protocols;
• development and implementation of technical standards and security requirements;
• blocking of suspicious financial transactions;
• imposition of fines and temporary suspension of the operator's activities in case of any legal inconsistencies;
• revocation of licences for failure to comply with the established rules.

Prospects and Benefits of Working in the Region

According to Statista forecasts, the total turnover of the market will exceed $7.02 billion by the end of 2025. The expected annual growth rate of the vertical until 2029 is 6.54%. Taking this figure into account, by 2030, the value of the Brazilian iGaming niche will reach $9.04 billion.

Advantages of opening an entertainment business in the country:

1. Access to a huge audience. Already now, the level of interest in casino content among the local population is more than 5.2%. In 4 years, the total number of active visitors to gambling platforms will exceed 11.8 million people.
2. High customer engagement. According to analytical reports and surveys, more than 75% of Brazilian players regularly place bets on sports. And this is only the statistics on the largest regional niche — football. In other verticals, including eSports, the figures are almost the same.
3. Legalisation of all types of gaming. Holders of a local permit can launch a business of any format, from bookmakers’ offices to classic online casinos and portals with blockchain-based crash content.
4. Stable political and economic situation. After the adoption of the law on the legalisation of entertainment for money, the trust in the niche on the part of consumers has increased many times. The state has created a convenient standardised regulation program that is not inferior to the leading world practices.

Requirements for Applicants

Those operators who decide to work in the jurisdiction should choose one of the 2 types of licenses:

1. Federal certificate. It is issued for 5 years and gives the right to provide any type of iGaming services throughout the country.
2. Local permit. The document allows entrepreneurs to work only within a specific region, for example, Rio de Janeiro.

To obtain a federal licence, it is necessary to submit an application via the SIGAP system (Sistema de Gestao de Apostas) — the official platform launched by the SPA regulator.

Key requirements for entrepreneurs include:

• activities are only permitted on digital portals with the bet.br domain;
• a fixed deduction of $30 million reals (approximately $6.25 million);
• payment of 18% tax on gross income from gambling services and monthly inspection fees;
• mandatory transfer of at least 20% of the company's shares under the management of a Brazilian resident (legal entity or individual);
• provision of users with an opportunity to self-exclude for a period from 1 day to 6 weeks;
• organisation of a local support centre in Portuguese: it works 24/7 and can be accessed through free communication channels.

Casinos in Vietnam: The Current Situation in the Market

The region is considered one of the most promising gaming hubs in Asia. The country's economy is highly stable and has good growth prospects. According to the World Bank report, the jurisdiction’s GDP reached $366.1 billion in 2021, with a per capita coefficient of $3,756.

The state is making impressive steps in the field of network and mobile penetration. The number of people with Internet access has increased by 74% from 2017 to 2022.

Gambling Regulations

Until 2017, any form of entertainment for money was prohibited on a governmental level. The situation changed after Decree 03/2017 was issued, where the rules for 2 verticals are described in detail:

1. Sports betting. Bookmakers have the right to accept bids on horse racing and international football competitions with a maximum deposit limit of $42.
2. Offline casinos. Only people over 21 years with a confirmed official income of $442 per month can visit such establishments. To enter the hall with slots, locals must buy day ($42) or season ($1,056) tickets.

Despite fairly strong legislative constraints, the first local gambling location has earned more than $4.5 million in just one year since its opening. Given such performance, the country's government is seriously considering the possibility of launching an online vertical.

Prospects for Investors

Entry into the Vietnamese entertainment market has the following benefits:

• access to a huge audience (the population exceeds 100 million people);
• high interest of residents in games for money, especially the sportsbook niche;
• active development of integrated resorts;
• constant growth of the tourist flow;
• stable economic situation.

The Main Things about Gaming in India, Nigeria, Brazil, and Vietnam

Each of the emerging modern casino markets has a unique legal structure and serious development potential. Despite the differences, sustainable commercial growth can be achieved in any of these regions.

Key aspects that operators should consider:

• Brazil attracts investors with the greatest economic prospects and maximum loyalty from the government. Besides, the local population shows a high interest in gaming as an integral part of the cultural heritage of the jurisdiction.
• India is the largest market with a record number of potential customers — 448 million people. The country attracts with a flexible legal structure and a large number of regulatory programs.
• Nigeria stands out from other regions with its rapidly growing young audience. According to The Economist, 41% of residents are over 14 years old. At the same time, the state has a well-developed Internet infrastructure and comfortable conditions for mobile users.
• Vietnam is an excellent choice for large investment funds focused on working in the niche of integrated resorts. The local population exceeds 100 million. The Vietnamese are interested in various forms of betting, giving preference to slots and bids on football matches.

You can learn more about the situation in the world's largest entertainment markets and order the realisation of a turnkey business from the Online Casino Market studio.

We offer the most convenient, secure, and financially advantageous solutions for an independent deployment. The aggregator also provides licensed websites with slots, decentralised blockchain-based platforms, bookmaker franchises, advanced Telegram casinos, free demo versions of digital portals, and much more.

Buy a casino