The global online gaming market is on a steep upward trajectory, with industry research firm MarkNtel Advisors projecting it will surge from $208.58 billion in 2024 to $333.20 billion by 2030.
The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.12% is powered by technological innovation, widespread mobile adoption, cloud gaming integration, and the booming eSports scene.
Viewership for gaming in this quarter reached levels not seen since 2021, with over 9 billion hours watched online. According to Game Sqaure, the increase was fueled by “interactive, creator-led content experiences that offer greater engagement than traditional formats.”
Mobile Gaming Driving Growth
The predicted growth of online gaming is also attributed to the interactive features available globally, thanks to the affordability and accessibility of smartphones and tablets.
Mobile platforms now dominate the market with a 43% share, stimulated by the advancement of technology in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mobile gamers spent over $110 billion globally in 2024, with Southeast Asia accounting for nearly 2 billion app downloads in Q1 2025 alone. India, China, Japan, and Indonesia are among the fastest-growing gaming markets globally, collectively accounting for more than half of the world’s online gamers.
In a press release from Mark Ntel Advisors, it is noted that “The adoption of reward-based gaming, in-game purchases, NFTs, and avatar customization are contributing to player engagement and extended playtime.
“Game developers are leveraging these features to build monetization strategies while offering players unique, immersive experiences.”
Cloud Gaming Revolution Expands Reach
Cloud-based services are removing the cost barrier for high-end hardware, which is making gaming more and more accessible around the globe.
Giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google have invested over $395 billion into cloud infrastructure this year. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, noted in June: “Cloud gaming is the gateway to making premium titles accessible to billions, regardless of device.”
As of 2025, GSMA Intelligence reports approximately 14 billion active electronic devices worldwide—equivalent to 173% of the global population.
eSports Becoming Mainstream
“eSports isn’t just a game anymore—it’s a cultural movement,” said Nicolo Laurent, CEO of Riot Games. As the eSports World Cup is ongoing, plans for the eSports Olympics have also been revealed, and the first official games in 2027 is expected to lead to increased popularity.
In addition to viewing the games online, individuals can also gamble on the matches with the spread of esports betting sites.
In 2017, about 21.9 million people globally bet on esports. By 2024, that number climbed to roughly 74.3 million, more than tripling in seven years. About 32% of all online bettors now wager on esports at least once per month.
Increasing Female Gamer Base and Cross-Generational Appeal
The demographic of online gamers is also becoming more diverse. Traditionally reserved for young males, female participation is on the rise.
In 2006, it was estimated that 62% of gamers were male, but a recent US survey suggested it is now almost an even split, with 47% female vs. 52% male players. In another survey, 72% of women and 81% of men reported playing video games. Globally, around 45% of all games are female.
Gamers are also growing older, but continuing to play actively. The report noted that, “increasing participation is observed among middle-aged (35–54) and senior (55+) populations, especially due to mobile accessibility and casual games.”
Globally, the average age of a gamer is around 33–34 years old, with over half of Generation X (aged 39-58) playing games weekly.
