Sports betting platforms such as 1xBet are undergoing major expansion this decade. The reasons for this are varied, ranging from an increase in global digital infrastructure to new technologies and conveniences offered to bettors. Heavy investment in marketing is also helping to break some of the paradigms associated with the activity.

This article reviews global betting revenues and the main reasons behind the growth in these figures. From new technologies that bring more security to users to advantages offered by bookmakers, a combination of factors has been crucial to the consolidation of this activity.

Sports betting at sites like 1xBet already generates more than $100 billion per year

A survey considering the year 2024 and published by Grand View Research showed that sports betting revenue was approximately $101 billion in 2024. However, what is most impressive is the expected CAGR for the activity, with 11% annual growth during the decade. Therefore, experts estimate that the segment’s revenue will exceed $187 billion in 2030.

One of the main reasons for this growth expectation is the increase in technological infrastructure in regions where bookmakers were unable to operate as successfully, in addition to the popularization and lower prices of electronic equipment.

For this reason, Africa is the region of the world with the highest expected CAGR. A survey covering the period between 2022 and 2027 showed that the continent is likely to see 17% growth in revenue over these five years. Meanwhile, in regions where the activity has been established for some time, the CAGR is likely to be slightly lower. You can check out the data for other regions:

The same Sports Pro survey showed the main markets on the African continent in 2022. The figures are as follows:

  • South Africa – $800 million

 

  • Kenya – $400 million

 

  • Tanzania – $200 million

 

  • Ghana – $100 million

 

New technologies are among the main reasons for growth

Whereas online sports betting used to be just a digital transposition of traditional betting, today this is different, and several new technologies enhance the user experience. Betting on the result of matches, in a model known as Moneyline, is still possible, but has lost ground among users.
Currently, it is possible to bet on a wide range of factors within a sporting event. All these predictions are supported by detailed statistics collected in real time by monitoring equipment and specialized scouting teams. Thus, bookmakers are able to set fairer odds, and users have a larger information base to support how they evaluate markets and interpret odds.

A major driver of online betting’s growth has been live betting, which was impossible when bets were placed outside the digital environment. The odds change constantly, which creates rapid price movement and frequent changes in available markets. In addition, the consolidation of betting on mobile devices, on platforms such as the 1xBet App, further supports faster interaction during in-play periods.

Meanwhile, security technologies help to gain the trust of users. Currently, all reliable betting sites are protected by SSL/TLS encryption, which means that even in the event of unexpected attacks, no information exchanged between the platform and users can be intercepted.

Bookmakers also perform rigorous identity checks to prevent scams and use algorithms that automatically recognize matches and betting lines with an unusual volume of bets, which helps prevent and identify possible sports fraud.

Payment methods have also undergone modernization. Today, virtually all deposits and withdrawals are instantaneous. Faster payments change how quickly balances move in and out of accounts, which can affect how users track transactions.

Finally, it is worth mentioning the huge investment in marketing by bookmakers. This generates a positive cycle of prosperity in the sport: platforms sponsor teams, which then have more cash to invest and improve their squads. This raises the level of competition, which attracts more spectators. And, as all sports fans are a potential audience for bookmakers, the result is that more people register in bookmakers.

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