Global Gaming Market Set to Exceed $155 Billion in 2020

Gaming Gets a Viral Boost While the World Hits Pause

When the pandemic slammed the door on in‑person workouts and global trade, shelves emptied and gym doors slammed shut, an unsuspected hero rose in the glow of glowing screens: the gaming industry. Ladbrokes has stepped into this boom and also tossed in sweet promocodes, while parent company GVC Holdings leapt on the extra revenue, reporting a solid 12 % jump in the third quarter alone.

Why the Numbers Matter

According to a deep dive by SafeBettingSites.com, the worldwide gaming market is projected to hit at least $159.3 billion in 2020. That’s almost three times the $57 billion that the music industry raked in last year, and over three and a half times the $43 billion box‑office revenue of 2019.

Growth Trends

YoY growth: 9.3 % in 2020.
Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2018–2022: 9 %.
Estimated 2022 market value: around $196 billion (up from $138.7 billion in 2018).

What’s Fueling the Surge?

It isn’t just that gamers have more free time—they’re spending it intensely. The industry’s shift from one‑time purchases to recurring revenue models (think loot boxes, expansion packs, character skins) keeps cash flowing steadily. Add in the fact that cheaper, faster internet and sleeker hardware make gaming more accessible than ever, and the equation is a perfect storm.

So next time you’re scrolling through a leaderboard or grabbing a bonus code, remember: you’re part of a movement that’s turning global lockdown into a global gaming bonanza.

Mobile gaming accounts for 48% of industry revenue

Mobile Gaming: The Reigning Champion of the Digital Playlands

Picture yourself scrolling through your phone and suddenly you’re in a world where pixels dance, coins clink, and you can become a hero in a few taps. That’s mobile gaming, and it’s now pulling in almost half of every dollar that flows through the gaming industry.

How the Numbers Look (And Why You’re Not Alone)

Mobile games account for 48% of the industry’s revenue—up from 45% back in 2019.
Google Play has rocketed its game subscriber count by over 70% year‑on‑year.
Play‑on‑The‑Go is projected to hit a jaw‑dropping $77.2 billion in 2020, a 13.3% jump.
It’s a full‑pro testament to how the “bite‑size” experience thrills users worldwide.

Other Platforms – They’re Still There, But They’re Not The Beat

PC games are a $36.9 billion business, growing 4.8% last year.
Console titles generate $45.2 billion, with a 6.8% increment.

Mobile Gaming Backed by Even More Than Apps

In 2019, the mobile gaming sector was a cool $68.5 billion beast. Below the surface:

Games made up 33% of all app downloads.
They stole 74% of app spend and consumed 10% of in‑app time.

The New “Prime Time” – It’s All About Games

Imagine a TV station that turns into a game haven: that’s exactly what mobile apps are doing.

US users in 2019 spent eight minutes more per day on phones than on TV.
Looking forward, that extra screen time could easily reach half an hour a day by 2021.
More than 50% of all mobile app users are playing games.
That puts gaming in the third position—just behind social media (67%) and shopping (56%).

Roadblocks? Gone!

Gone are the old days of “you have to be tech‑savvy to play.” Casual and hyper‑casual games have, like a smooth transition, made it possible for anyone to jump in with no awkward setup.

The Gender Mix – Now 50/50

Traditionally stereotyped, gamers were once thought to lean male. But on mobile? The ratio has flipped! You now see:

54% male, 46% female overall in gaming.
On mobile, it’s a perfect 50/50 split.

So, whether you’re a queen of the grocery list or a quick‑step hero, mobile gaming is the place to be—because the only thing missing in your pocket is the next level, not your army.

Asia Pacific dominates global gaming market with $72.2bn revenue

Gaming in Asia Pacific: A Boom That Keeps Growing

For a decade, Asia Pacific has been the powerhouse of the global gaming industry, and that streak is far from winding down.

2020: Money, Numbers, and Unstoppable Growth

The region alone raked in $72.2 billion in 2019—more than twice the haul from North America.
Crunching the stats for 2020, experts predict the region will bring in at least $78.3 billion, or 49% of the total industry revenue.
From a modest $36 billion back in 2017, that’s a revolutionary growth trajectory.

China: The Big Kahuna of the Region

In 2019, China stole the spotlight with $34.4 billion—more than double the 2014 figure.
Its mobile gaming segment alone is huge, worth at least a quarter of the global market.
Within China, mobile gaming ruled the roost, making up a staggering 68.5% of the total gaming revenue.

Japan: A Classic Gaming Hub

With giants like Nintendo in its backyard, Japan followed China, pulling in $19 billion in 2019.

Surprise! The United States Takes the Lead (2020 Edition)

Despite the region’s dominance, the United States outpaced China in 2019, generating $36.9 billion.
This jump was largely fueled by a 13.9% increase in console sales.