Think back a couple of years, and you’d easily recognise just how much the sports betting scene has changed over the years. In the modern day, many people don’t pitch up to the stadium or head over to local facilities where they can place their bets. Instead, they sit at home, watch the game on TV, and pull out their phone to set wagers.
BetZillion recently launched a research project that focused on getting more details about the latest sports betting demographics, and it revealed a lot of interesting findings. Let’s explore some of the main things that the report shows us to better understand how betting on sports is changing in 2025 and beyond.
Up until 2018, online gambling and sports betting were considered illegal in the United States. However, after passing a law that legalised these activities, several states have begun to legalise the act of wagering on sports through bookmakers.
This is just one example of how sports betting is going global. As the world changes its views on sportsbooks, more countries are adjusting their legal status and allowing people to place wagers on sports events.
When we take a closer look at the demographic report by BetZillion, we can see a lot of details about who the main bettors will be in 2025. They are spread across different countries and ages, so let’s take a look at some of the key findings:
Sports betting is most active in areas like South America and Africa. The market is led by Kenya, where about 83% of those who participate in gambling activities prefer sports betting. South Africa also has a large number of punters, with 74% stating a preference to wager on sports events.
Punters are not as active as bookmakers across Europe and North America. However, there is still strong support for sports betting in some regions throughout these areas, such as Italy and Spain.
Brazil has some of the biggest financial gains in terms of sports betting, with about $11.1 billion in wagers placed within the first 11 months of 2023. Mexico has also reported a significant amount of bets valued at $4 billion for the year 2023. In Nigeria, punters placed bets worth $2 billion in the same year.
The average amount people spend on bookies ranges from $20 to $70, but it largely differs among various jurisdictions.
Younger individuals who participate in sports betting are more likely to see this as an investment. They are also the group that is least likely to monitor their finances when wagering on sports.
With that said, we do see greater financial awareness in some jurisdictions. For example, 82% of punters in New Zealand frequently review their own finances, which is incredibly important when it comes to responsible gambling. In Mexico, about 66% of people will monitor their finances before placing wagers.
By taking a closer look at BetZillion’s sports betting demographics report, we can see a couple of trends that are shaping the market right now. This also allows us to get a better idea of what the future looks like in terms of bookmakers and punters.
The future of sports betting demographics looks promising for female bettors, as the number of women placing wagers on these platforms has been increasing consistently. We’re also seeing a trend of betting through mobile platforms. With the advancements in technology, getting access to smartphones that are capable of things you’d usually do on a computer makes it easier for people to place their bets on the go.
BetZillion’s latest research into sports betting demographics reveals that Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria are the leading regions. A significant growth in wagers can be seen among young bettors, while those aged 55 and older seem to be less active. The findings from this report are valuable for punters, industry analysts, and companies in the industry. The report can be found directly on BetZillion’s website, which has a lot of useful statistics to explore.