The sports betting market across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is experiencing rapid growth, driven largely by mobile technology and a young, digitally connected population, according to a new study by BettingRanker, a platform specializing in reviews and comparisons of online gaming and betting services.
The report found that the regional sports betting market expanded by 70% in 2026, while mobile betting application downloads increased by 60% between 2023 and 2026, underscoring the accelerating shift toward smartphone-based gambling.
According to the study, smartphones now account for more than 70% of all sports betting activity in the MENA region, significantly higher than Europe’s estimated 60% share. Analysts attribute the trend to widespread smartphone adoption, improved internet connectivity, and growing demand for digital entertainment among younger users.
The report estimates that the MENA betting market was worth approximately $6.86 billion in 2024 and projects that it will exceed $12 billion by 2032, representing a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%.
Despite the market’s expansion, the regulatory environment remains uneven across the region.
The study highlights the United Arab Emirates as one of the most advanced jurisdictions in terms of gaming regulation, citing the establishment of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority and recent amendments to civil legislation governing gaming activities.
The growth of the sector is being driven primarily by younger consumers. According to the report, approximately 76% of players in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are under the age of 35, while 73% engage with esports content, reflecting the increasing convergence between gaming, sports entertainment and betting.
However, the report notes that regulatory reforms have yet to spread widely across the Arab world. Betting and gambling activities remain officially prohibited in most Arab countries, leading many users to access offshore betting platforms through international websites and applications.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the region’s largest markets despite those restrictions. The study estimates that the Kingdom’s sports betting market surpassed $1 billion in 2025 and could exceed $2 billion by 2034.
More than 82% of sports betting activity in Saudi Arabia takes place online, a trend the report links to the country’s digital transformation initiatives and near-universal internet access under Vision 2030.
The study also highlights the technological evolution of betting platforms serving Arabic-speaking audiences. While traditional sports betting in the region relied largely on desktop websites and foreign operators, mobile betting services increasingly offer Android applications, downloadable APK files, Arabic-language interfaces and rapid payment processing through electronic wallets.
According to BettingRanker, operators seeking to expand in the MENA market are increasingly focusing on mobile-first strategies, including live betting features and real-time engagement tools designed to appeal to younger users.
The report concludes that the Middle East and North Africa has completed the transition from desktop-based betting to mobile platforms faster than any other major market, making smartphone technology the central driver of future growth in the sector.
While industry forecasts point to continued expansion, analysts note that regulatory uncertainty and legal restrictions across much of the region will remain important factors shaping the market’s long-term development.
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