Online gambling has become a major part of the global digital economy. From online sports betting to internet-based casino platforms, people in different countries are accessing gambling services through websites and mobile applications. However, participation rates vary considerably across markets.
The latest online gambling ranking from Visual Capitalist reveals some surprising results. South Africa ranks first, followed by Norway and Greece. Meanwhile, New Zealand, Ghana, Hungary, and the United Kingdom also report relatively high participation rates.
The United States, despite its substantial gambling industry, ranks 38th in the comparison. India ranks 41st, with 7.6% of internet users aged 16 and older reporting monthly participation.
This article explores the top countries for online gambling in 2026, the complete 48-market ranking, and the key differences between gambling participation and market revenue.
Key Highlights of Online Gambling by Country
Here are the major findings from the latest ranking:
- South Africa ranks first, with 32.3% monthly online gambling participation.
- Norway takes second place at 31.2%.
- Greece ranks third, with a participation rate of 25.8%.
- New Zealand ranks fourth at 24.0%.
- Ghana and Hungary are tied at 21.5%.
- The United Kingdom ranks seventh at 19.6%.
- The United States ranks 38th at 10.2%.
- India ranks 41st at 7.6%.
- South Korea records the lowest participation rate among the 48 markets, at 2.7%.
The figures come from GWI’s Q2 2025 survey, published in the Digital 2026 Global Overview Report. They measure monthly participation among internet users aged 16 and older.
Top 48 Countries for Online Gambling in 2026
The following table presents the complete ranking and reported monthly participation rates.
| Rank | Country or territory | Monthly participation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 32.3% |
| 2 | Norway | 31.2% |
| 3 | Greece | 25.8% |
| 4 | New Zealand | 24.0% |
| 5 | Ghana | 21.5% |
| 5 | Hungary | 21.5% |
| 7 | United Kingdom | 19.6% |
| 8 | Brazil | 19.0% |
| 9 | Austria | 18.7% |
| 10 | Australia | 18.0% |
| 10 | Nigeria | 18.0% |
| 12 | Chile | 16.6% |
| 13 | Kenya | 16.0% |
| 14 | Portugal | 15.8% |
| 15 | Croatia | 15.5% |
| 16 | Thailand | 15.0% |
| 17 | Hong Kong | 14.9% |
| 18 | Ireland | 14.8% |
| 19 | Serbia | 14.4% |
| 20 | Belgium | 14.3% |
| 20 | Canada | 14.3% |
| 22 | Colombia | 13.8% |
| 22 | Denmark | 13.8% |
| 24 | Romania | 13.7% |
| 25 | Mexico | 13.3% |
| 26 | Germany | 13.2% |
| 27 | France | 12.7% |
| 28 | Argentina | 12.5% |
| 28 | Sweden | 12.5% |
| 30 | Spain | 12.0% |
| 30 | Switzerland | 12.0% |
| 32 | Bulgaria | 11.9% |
| 33 | Philippines | 11.5% |
| 34 | Turkey | 11.1% |
| 35 | Netherlands | 10.9% |
| 36 | Singapore | 10.6% |
| 37 | Poland | 10.4% |
| 38 | United States | 10.2% |
| 39 | Italy | 10.1% |
| 40 | Czechia | 9.9% |
| 41 | India | 7.6% |
| 42 | Japan | 7.5% |
| 43 | Morocco | 7.3% |
| 44 | Russia | 7.0% |
| 45 | Israel | 6.8% |
| 46 | Taiwan | 6.5% |
| 47 | Vietnam | 5.7% |
| 48 | South Korea | 2.7% |
Source: Visual Capitalist, using GWI survey data. The ranking includes 48 surveyed markets. Tied positions share the same rank.
1. South Africa Leads the Global Ranking
South Africa ranks first in online gambling participation, with 32.3% of internet users aged 16 and older reporting that they visited a gambling or betting website or app during the previous month.
This means nearly one in three internet users in the surveyed age group participated during that period. However, the figure does not represent the share of South Africa’s entire population or the amount of money spent on gambling.
South Africa also has a substantial gambling industry. According to figures cited by Visual Capitalist, gambling turnover reached approximately R1.1 trillion during the 2023/24 financial year, while gross gambling revenue increased by 25.7% to R59.3 billion.
These financial figures measure different aspects of gambling activity. They should not be confused with the monthly participation rate used in the country ranking.
2. Norway Takes Second Place Despite Strict Regulations
Norway ranks second, with 31.2% monthly participation. Its position is notable because the country maintains a tightly regulated gambling market.
Norway uses a regulated framework involving operators such as Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto. The country’s approach includes measures intended to limit gambling-related harm and restrict certain foreign gambling services.
Nevertheless, the survey reports substantial online gambling participation.
This illustrates an important point: gambling regulation and reported participation are separate measures. A country may have strict rules governing operators while its internet users still report considerable participation in online gambling.
The ranking alone does not establish whether regulation causes higher or lower participation.
3. Greece and New Zealand Rank Among the Leaders
Greece ranks third at 25.8%, while New Zealand follows in fourth place at 24.0%.
Both countries appear ahead of several larger economies in the comparison. Their positions demonstrate that online gambling participation does not necessarily follow a country’s population size or overall economic output.
Ghana and Hungary share fifth place, each recording 21.5%. The United Kingdom follows in seventh place at 19.6%.
Together, these results show how widely monthly participation can vary even among established markets with different regulatory systems and consumer habits.
4. Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya Stand Out in Africa
Several African markets appear relatively high in the ranking.
Ghana records 21.5%, placing it joint fifth. Nigeria follows at 18.0%, while Kenya ranks 13th with 16.0%.
These figures are notable when compared with Morocco, which appears much lower at 7.3%.
However, the results should be interpreted carefully. The survey measures reported online gambling participation, not the size of each country’s gambling industry, the amount users spend, or the prevalence of gambling-related harm.
Differences in internet access, survey responses, gambling products, and local market conditions may also affect comparisons.
5. The United Kingdom and Australia Show Strong Participation
The United Kingdom ranks seventh globally, with 19.6% monthly participation. Australia and Nigeria are tied at 18.0%, with both ranking tenth.
These markets illustrate why participation rates should be considered separately from gambling revenue.
The United Kingdom, for example, also ranked first in an earlier Visual Capitalist comparison of online gambling revenue, based on 2021 data. The United States ranked second in that older revenue comparison.
The two rankings measure different things and use different data periods. A country’s position by participation does not automatically determine its position by revenue.
6. Where Does the United States Rank?
The United States ranks 38th among the 48 surveyed markets, with 10.2% monthly online gambling participation.
This is below several English-speaking markets, including New Zealand at 24.0%, the United Kingdom at 19.6%, and Australia at 18.0%.
However, the United States has a large and economically significant gambling industry. Its lower participation ranking does not mean that its total gambling revenue is necessarily low.
A market can generate substantial revenue even if a smaller share of its internet users participates monthly. The average amount spent, market size, product mix, and regulatory environment can all influence financial results.
Therefore, the US ranking should be understood as a measure of participation rather than a direct assessment of the industry’s economic value.
7. India Ranks 41st in Online Gambling Participation
India ranks 41st, with 7.6% monthly participation among internet users aged 16 and older in the surveyed data.
This places India below the United States at 10.2%, Singapore at 10.6%, and several European markets. Japan follows closely behind India at 7.5%.
The figure does not mean that 7.6% of India’s entire population gambles online. It refers only to the survey’s defined group of internet users and its previous-month measurement period.
India’s legal framework for online gaming and gambling is also complex and has changed over time. The legal treatment of particular activities can depend on applicable national and state laws. Readers should consult current official guidance rather than assume that every online gambling product is lawful.
8. South Korea Records the Lowest Participation Rate
South Korea ranks last in the comparison, with 2.7% monthly online gambling participation.
Vietnam records 5.7%, Taiwan 6.5%, and Israel 6.8%. These markets are also near the bottom of the ranking.
The low figures show that online gambling participation differs substantially across the surveyed markets. However, a low reported rate does not necessarily mean that no gambling activity occurs or that all forms of gambling are unavailable.
Survey definitions, local laws, consumer behaviour, and the availability of online services may all affect reported participation.
What Does the Online Gambling Ranking Actually Measure?
Understanding the methodology is essential before comparing countries.
The ranking uses GWI survey data from Q2 2025, published in the Digital 2026 Global Overview Report. It measures the percentage of internet users aged 16 and older who visited an online gambling or betting website or app during the previous month.
This is a measure of monthly participation, not:
- Total gambling revenue.
- The amount of money wagered.
- The percentage of the entire national population.
- The number of gambling accounts registered.
- The prevalence of gambling addiction.
- The legality of every gambling product in a country.
These distinctions matter because different metrics can produce different country rankings.
Why Do Online Gambling Rates Differ Between Countries?
Several factors may contribute to differences in reported participation.
Internet and smartphone access
Online platforms depend on internet connectivity and access to digital devices. Wider access can make online services easier to reach, although access alone does not determine whether someone gambles.
Gambling regulations
Countries differ in how they license gambling operators, restrict services, advertise betting products, and protect consumers. These differences can shape which platforms are available.
Sports and entertainment culture
Sports betting and other gambling products may appeal to different audiences across countries. Local sports interests and consumer preferences can influence participation patterns.
Payment systems and platform availability
The availability of digital payment options and online services may affect how easily consumers can access gambling platforms.
Survey methodology
Reported participation depends on the survey’s questions, sample, age group, and measurement period. Consequently, small differences between countries should not automatically be interpreted as definitive differences in total gambling activity.
Online Gambling Participation vs. Gambling Revenue
Participation and revenue are often confused, but they answer different questions.
| Measurement | What it tells us |
|---|---|
| Monthly participation rate | Share of surveyed internet users who visited gambling platforms during the previous month |
| Gambling revenue | Money retained by operators under the relevant accounting definition |
| Total amount wagered | Total value of bets placed |
| Market size | An estimate of the overall economic scale of the industry |
| Gambling-related harm | Potential negative effects on individuals, families, and communities |
For example, the United States ranks 38th in the participation comparison, yet it ranked second in Visual Capitalist’s older online gambling revenue comparison based on 2021 figures.
This is not necessarily a contradiction. The two rankings measure different outcomes and cover different periods.
Conclusion
The latest online gambling ranking shows significant differences in participation across 48 markets. South Africa leads at 32.3%, followed by Norway at 31.2% and Greece at 25.8%. New Zealand, Ghana, Hungary, and the United Kingdom also rank relatively high.
Meanwhile, the United States ranks 38th at 10.2%, India ranks 41st at 7.6%, and South Korea records the lowest rate at 2.7%.
The main takeaway is that online gambling participation, gambling revenue, and market size are not interchangeable measures. Each provides a different view of the industry.
As online platforms continue to evolve, understanding these differences can help readers interpret international comparisons more accurately. Responsible reporting should also recognise the potential financial and personal risks associated with gambling.
