According to Grand View Research, the worldwide online poker market was valued at $3.86 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow by 10.2% annually between 2025 and 2030. This growth is fueled by several key trends, including the ability for players to move seamlessly between different devices without interruption. Gamification features such as leaderboards, missions, and reward systems are increasingly adopted to enhance user engagement and retention.
Key growing Regions
The online poker industry is rapidly expanding into high-potential regions such as Latin America, Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Regulatory developments in countries like Brazil are formalizing the industry and encouraging licensed operators to enter. Platforms customize services with local languages, currencies, and payment gateways to meet regional expectations. This regional diversification drives new user acquisition and revenue streams, positioning emerging markets as pivotal to future industry growth.Developing countries are promising new markets for the expansion of online poker. A Research and Markets report highlights that Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia are growing quickly due to increased internet access, mobile adoption, and evolving regulation.
Middle East & Africa Online Poker Market Trends
The online poker market in the Middle East & Africa region is defined by two contrasting stories. While much of the Middle East faces strict regulations, Africa is experiencing strong growth potential, primarily driven by a surge in mobile gaming.
Africa
Why it will grow: Africa’s mobile-first populations and young demographics make it a key long-term growth region.
Across Africa, countries like Nigeria and Kenya are leading the way. The widespread use of mobile devices and increased internet access are creating new opportunities for mobile gaming and online poker platforms. This trend points to significant future growth in the region.
South Africa stands out as a bright spot in the online poker market. With a regulated market and a supportive environment, it's a model for regional expansion. High mobile penetration, user-friendly local payment solutions, and a growing interest in gambling are helping to build a loyal player base and drive demand. South Africa is well-positioned to be a leader in the region's online poker growth.
MIddle East
Most Middle Eastern countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, etc.) ban all forms of gambling, including online poker, due to religious law.
Despite this, demand exists: many users access offshore poker sites via VPNs, though these are unregulated and risky.
The real potential lies in countries opening up selectively to regulated gaming, often tied to tourism, technology, or international business hubs.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
In 2023–2024, the UAE began issuing gaming licenses and established a national regulatory authority for gambling.
This is a major shift: the UAE could become the Las Vegas of the Middle East, with controlled zones for legal gambling.
For poker: Live poker tournaments for tourists could grow first.
Online poker platforms may follow if licensing expands into digital formats.The growth driver is Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s international tourism and expat population (millions of foreigners who already play poker).
Lebanon
Lebanon has one of the oldest regulated casino markets in the region.
While online gambling is limited, Lebanon could experiment with digital extensions to attract revenue amid its economic struggles.
Poker culture already exists locally and among the diaspora.
Israel
Strict ban on gambling, but there’s a large underground poker community and Israeli players are very active in international live and online tournaments (using offshore sites).
Legalization is unlikely in the short term, but if regulation changes, Israel could quickly become a top online poker market thanks to its tech-savvy population.
Turkey
Turkey allows only state-controlled sports betting and lottery. Online poker is illegal, and authorities often block gambling sites.
Like Israel, many Turkish players still join offshore platforms.
Growth here depends entirely on future regulatory liberalization.
In short: the Middle East’s regulatory shift could unlock a premium, high-value niche market for operators, especially targeting expats and tourists.
Brazil: Latin America’s new hotspot
Why it will grow: Brazil has surged as one of the biggest sources of traffic to gambling sites in Latin America. Recent developments — more transparent regulation conversations and large social interest in poker — have pushed mobile poker usage higher. Brazil’s sheer market size and passionate player base make it fertile for both skill-game products and tournament series. What operators should do: partner with local affiliates and Portuguese-speaking customer support, emphasize mobile-first UX, and run community tournaments to build brand trust.
Colombia: mature regulated market in LATAM
Colombia is one of Latin America’s most mature regulated igaming markets. With established regulators and growing iGaming demand, the country offers a lower-risk environment for licensed operators to scale poker verticals. Market data show steady increases in unique players and revenue as the market matures.
Southeast Asia: Growth & Potential
Southeast Asia is a key engine in that broader Asia-Pacific growth: mobile penetration is soaring, internet infrastructure is widespread, and consumer acceptance of digital entertainment is rising rapidly.
Philippines: The Poker Hub
The Philippines is a major iGaming hub — both as a player market and as a base for regional operators. The domestic market produced record gaming revenues recently, reflecting strong online gaming activity. While regulatory shifts change the landscape, domestic legal operators and regulated products continue to perform well.
The Philippines remains the strongest online poker market for both online and live poker activity. Growth is driven by high-end venues like Resorts World Manila, Cebu, Angeles City, and evolving digital platforms featuring world-class tournaments (e.g., APT, APPT) and cross-platform play.
Technology is changing the game: mobile gaming and VR integration are enhancing the experience for Filipino players.
Online Poker Market Growth in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia
Thailand has long prohibited most forms of gambling, with only the state lottery and horse racing allowed. Yet, poker and casino-style games remain very popular underground and through offshore online platforms. What’s changing is the regulatory climate: in early 2025, lawmakers advanced a draft law to legalize integrated resorts and online gambling zones as part of a push to boost tax revenues and attract tourism.
This would mark a transformational moment for the Thai online poker market.
Vietnam is another high-potential Southeast Asian poker market. Technically, online gambling is restricted for citizens, but demand for poker is strong, and offshore operators already serve thousands of Vietnamese players. While real-money online poker legalization may take time, the player base is already here.
Indonesia is the largest market by population in Southeast Asia — over 270 million people — but also the most restrictive for gambling. Religious and legal bans make online poker illegal, and enforcement can be strict. Nevertheless, offshore poker sites see significant traffic from Indonesian users who bypass restrictions with VPNs.
Conclusion
The industry's future growth will be fueled by mobile adoption particularly in high-potential regions like Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Technological innovations like gamification and cross-platform play are enhancing user engagement.
In essence, the market's expansion is moving geographically, with developing nations poised to become the new centers of online poker.
