The global online poker market could see exponential growth over the next decade, according to a recent study conducted by Custom Market Insights.
The company offers consulting and business insights in a number of industries and projects the online poker market will grow from $6.3 billion in 2025 to $22.4 billion by 2034.
The industry is expected to see a compound annual growth rate of 15.2% over that time period. The study frames that growth as a part of high-tech entertainment becoming even more popular with users.
“With the increased penetration of mobile phones, rising availability of internet, and enhanced demand for internet-based entertainment, the usage of online poker games will be likely to see significant growth in the years to come,” the report said.
“The worldwide online poker game market is thriving in the backdrop of the wider digital entertainment explosion, driven by an expanding technology-sensitive base of consumers and innovations in game technology.”
Mobile Offering Fueling Growth
Smartphones are a huge part of the growth of the online game, with more and more players now playing on those smaller screens. Operators have worked to gear play more toward a mobile audience in recent years. For example, CoinPoker recently launched a platform designed exclusively for mobile users.
A trend in consumers preferring interactive and competitive online gaming sessions may also contribute to the expected growth in the coming years, the study reports. The market is also becoming more competitive as more operators look to attract players.
“With the maturity of the online poker ecosystem, existing gaming operators and newcomers alike are entering the market, which is diversifying the market, and thus the market is becoming more competitive and inclusive,” CMI reports.
CMI forecasts that hold’em will remain popular, while other games like Omaha and Seven Card Stud will also experience growth.
The study pointed to North America and Asia as sources of major growth opportunities in the coming years. North America remains one of the most lucrative markets. Latin America is also seeing “incremental yet steady growth in the market for online poker driven by the increased adoption of smartphones, internet penetration, and mounting interest in digital entertainment.”
Cheating & Security Concerns
While the report is bullish on the industry’s growth, there are some concerns. One of those is cheating and fraud. These issues seem to pop up every year in the world of online poker, including recent concerns about poker bots.
In 2024, a major poker bot operation was revealed in Siberia. Issues like using real-time assistance, muti-accounting, and ghosting have also plagued the industry.
Another concern? Bans on online gaming. Restrictions on the industry could constrain growth if more jurisdictions enact prohibitions on iGaming, according to CMI. India went this route and banned online poker in 2025. The country’s supreme court is now considering ruling on the issue.
The study also notes that payment processing issues could also present challenges as financial institutions and governments continue to place more restrictions and regulations on the industry.
