Gambling has evolved rapidly over the past decade, shifting from brick-and-mortar casinos to digital platforms. To understand the landscape today, it’s vital to examine the statistics of gambling by age and gender. These gambling demographics reveal important insights into how habits are shifting across generations. Who is most active? Which generation dominates esports betting? And how is the gender balance changing? Let’s dive into the data.
Age Demographics: Key Statistics of Gambling by Generation
iGaming & Online Casino Players (Ages 31–40 Lead)
Data from iGaming platforms show that the bulk of online casino players concentrate in the 31–40 age bracket. In Europe, that age group comprises most active casino gamblers. In Latin America, too, the 31–40 segment is leading, while younger cohorts (18–24 and 25–30) also maintain sizable participation.
This suggests that while younger players enter the market, the more stable and higher-spending base tends to be in the 30s.
Esports Betting: Gen Z & Millennials Dominate
The esports betting ecosystem provides sharper generational divides and offers some of the most dynamic gambling statistics by age available today. Recent data reveals:
- Gen Z (18–27): represent nearly 44% of all esports wagers, up from 36% the year before.
- Millennials + Gen Z (18–43): make up 87% of total esports bettors.
- By title: Counter-Strike bettors average 31 years while League of Legends bettors, 29.
Games such as Dota 2 and Valorant are also rapidly growing among the 18–30 age group, further expanding the esports betting vertical.
The rise of esports as a betting category shows how younger audiences are reshaping the industry. For entrepreneurs and operators, this trend highlights an opportunity: building platforms tailored to the preferences of Gen Z and Millennials. If you’re considering entering the market, here’s a helpful guide on how to create a sports betting app and start your own sportsbook business.
In short, Gen Z leads in sheer numbers, but Millennials remain a heavyweight in terms of spending and retention.
Gender Breakdown: The Shifting Balance
Casino & Sportsbook Players
Historically, gambling skewed heavily male. However, the gap is slowly narrowing:
- In some European markets, about 60% of online casino players are men, while women make up the remaining 40%.
- Globally, sportsbook and casino segments continue to see a male majority, but female participation is steadily increasing.
- This shift is particularly visible in mobile and casual casino games, which attract a more gender-balanced audience.
Women players also show a stronger preference for skill-based or entertainment-oriented formats such as bingo, live game shows, and social casino apps—segments seeing double-digit annual growth.
Sports & Fantasy Betting
In the broader betting industry, sports bettors still lean male (~60%) compared to female (~39%). Fantasy and esports betting trends even more male-dominated, but women are gradually closing the gap.
Millennials vs. Gen Z: Key Statistics of Gambling Habits
When comparing Millennials and Gen Z, the latest statistics of gambling habits show subtle but important differences.
- About 40% of Millennials report placing sports bets, compared with 36% of Gen Z.
- Both groups cite similar motivations: emotional engagement with sports (54% of Millennials vs. 50% of Gen Z) and testing one’s skills (37% vs. 42%).
- Millennials often take slightly more risks—41% report risk-taking betting styles versus 38% among Gen Z.
- Gen Z, however, is more attuned to responsible gambling tools, such as setting limits or self-exclusion features.
Gen Z players also show a higher adoption of mobile wallets, micro-betting, and crypto-friendly payment options, reflecting broader fintech familiarity.
In summary: Millennials remain more active overall, but Gen Z is rapidly catching up, especially in esports, and shows a stronger tendency toward safer gambling practices.
These behavioral nuances suggest that long-term retention strategies should differentiate messaging and reward systems by generation.
Implications and Emerging Trends
- Mature gamblers yield sustainability
While Gen Z’s entry is crucial for future growth, sustained revenue often comes from the 31–40 cohort, who combine experience with disposable income. - Gender diversity is increasing
Platforms that reduce gender barriers by offering games appealing to varied tastes and emphasizing responsible play can capture underrepresented audiences. Operators who understand the evolving gambling statistics by age and gender can design more inclusive platforms. - Esports as a youthful gateway
Esports betting has become a strong entry point for younger bettors. With the 18–43 age group owning 87% of that space, hybrid strategies (esports + casino) may help operators cross-segment effectively. - Responsible gambling is generational
Younger generations are more receptive to self-regulation tools. Platforms that emphasize safe play and education may build trust and retention from the start.
These shifts reinforce how vital it is for operators to track the latest online gambling statistics by generation to anticipate market changes.
What Gambling Statistics Reveal About the Market
The statistics of gambling by age and gender tell a nuanced story. While the 31–40 demographic forms a stable core for online casino play, esports betting is driven by younger age groups, namely Gen Z and Millennials, who together account for the majority of activity. The gender gap is narrowing, and responsible gambling features are increasingly valued, especially by younger players.
As more data emerges, keeping track of global gambling demographics will remain essential for long-term growth in the iGaming sector.
