The World’s Biggest Gambling Hotspots: Countries with the Highest Interest
Interest in gambling varies across different regions, influenced by culture, regulations, and industry development. A recent study by Casino Deps analyzed global search trends, identifying the countries most engaged in online gambling based on monthly search volumes per 100,000 people. The findings highlight nations where betting thrives—either due to favorable regulations or strong player demand despite restrictions.
The Netherlands Leads the Pack
Sitting at the top of the list, The Netherlands records an impressive 864.89 average monthly searches per 100,000 people, making it the most gambling-curious nation. This high interest is largely driven by the country’s liberal gambling regulations and flourishing online casino market.
- “Online casino” tops Dutch search queries with 75,000 monthly searches.
- Other highly searched terms include “Casino games” and “Online gambling”, both with 21,000 searches per month.
Malta and Sweden Follow Closely
Malta ranks second with 384.65 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. Known as a global iGaming hub, Malta is home to numerous gambling operators and licensing bodies, attracting both players and industry professionals.
- Interest is evenly distributed across Poker, Roulette, and Blackjack, each generating around 250-300 monthly searches.
Sweden takes the third spot, recording 384.12 monthly searches per 100,000 people. With a regulated online gambling market and widespread acceptance of casino gaming, Swedish players remain highly engaged.
- “Online casino” dominates search trends at 11,000 monthly queries.
- “Free spins” is another key term, reflecting strong interest in casino promotions, with 3,700 searches per month.
Poland, Denmark, and Iceland Round Out the Top Six
In Poland, with 376.49 searches per 100,000 people, online gambling is growing fast, fueled by recently relaxed regulations. Players here show a strong preference for Blackjack, which sees 40,000 monthly searches, significantly outpacing Poker (16,000 searches) and Roulette (15,000 searches).
Denmark ranks fifth, with 366.17 searches per 100,000 residents, benefiting from a well-regulated and accessible gambling market. Interestingly, “Poker” is the country’s top search term, amassing 4,900 monthly searches, surpassing “Online casino” at just 3,500 searches.
Meanwhile, Iceland ranks sixth, averaging 361.24 searches per 100,000 people. Due to limited land-based casino access, many players turn to online platforms, making “Blackjack” the most popular search term, with 350 monthly queries.
Other Notable Gambling Nations
- Singapore (#7) – 345.13 searches per 100,000 people
- Norway (#8) – 336.46 searches per 100,000 people
- New Zealand (#9) – 310.66 searches per 100,000 people
- Lithuania (#10) – 300.62 searches per 100,000 people
How Gambling Interest is Shaped Globally
The study by Casino Deps sheds light on how regulations, cultural attitudes, and industry development impact gambling interest worldwide. Countries with liberal policies, like The Netherlands and Malta, naturally rank high, while nations with stricter controls, such as Norway and Iceland, still show strong engagement due to demand for alternative options. With gambling markets evolving, these rankings may continue to shift as laws, player preferences, and technology drive further changes in the industry.
