From 84% to 47%: How Smartphone Gaming Differs Around the World & Its Effect on the Betting Industry

Although PC and console gaming continue to be popular, smartphones have changed what it means to be a gamer. Hundreds of millions of people have the chance to play from their smartphones, and the developers know that. Consequently, there are tons of top-tier mobile games that attract millions.

Based on research by Nostrabet.com’s team and me, there are countries, such as the Philippines, where 84% of respondents play games on smartphones. For comparison, only 47% of people in Japan do that, which is essentially half. These two countries are just some of the examples.

Gaming companies are not the only businesses adapting to the mobile-first audience. There are also streaming platforms, social networks and even online betting. They are competing for the same smartphone users and adapting their products, so let’s learn more details about it.

Smartphone Gaming is Very Popular in Many Parts of the World

According to Statista’s Consumer Insights, people in some parts of the world are much more engaged with their smartphones than in others. Here is an overview of some of the data that you may find interesting.

A quick look at the stats will show you that the difference between the top and bottom is substantial. The Philippines is leading with 84%, which is 37% more than the stats for Japan.

Old-school gamers will notice that the countries that are traditionally associated with gaming are not those with the highest smartphone gaming penetration. Japan is the best example because it’s been at the heart of the video game industry for decades. Despite that, it’s sitting at the bottom of the chart.

The Philippines, on the other hand, does not have as big an impact on the gaming industry (outside of Dota 2), but it ranks highest. In other words, smartphones have changed who can participate in gaming and where markets can grow. In fact, I would not be surprised if we see many more African countries on this list in the future. Many of them are huge gaming fans.

The Philippines Shows How Mobile Has Expanded the Definition of a Gamer

One of the reasons why smartphone gaming is so popular is the missing barrier to entry. Unlike having a gaming PC/console, all people need is some kind of smartphone that can connect to the internet. Nowadays, there are tons of brands that sell phones for as low as $50, and they are usually powerful enough to allow people to play.

Around 94% of those who took part in the survey in the Philippines said that they play video games occasionally. This percentage is incredibly high, and the country is followed by Thailand, Vietnam, and South Africa.

Aside from the low entry point offered by cheaper phones, most popular smartphone games are also free. The fact that people do not need to pay anything to get them makes these things even more popular.

Why are the Stats so Different from Country to Country?

I believe there are many reasons why the statistics differ so much between the countries. For starters, we have to consider the income levels, age demographics, smartphone adoption and even internet infrastructure. All of them are essential when it comes to playing on the go.

A quick look at places like the USA shows that consoles remain the most widely used platform. Consoles are also popular in Mexico, as well as other parts of Latin America.

China is also an interesting example because it has one of the highest smartphone gamer rates, at 70%. Outside of that, China is also one of the leaders in PC gaming because the country has many professional esports players. You can find Chinese superstars in Dota 2, CS2, Valorant and League of Legends.

Mobile is the Biggest Part of the Global Games Market

Outside of the popularity of mobile betting, this industry also earns developers a lot of money. Analyzing Newzoo’s stats shows that the global games market will generate close to $213.9B in 2026. This number is impressive, but what’s more interesting is that mobile alone is expected to account for around $121.1B in 2026. For comparison, PC gaming will be sitting at around $46.9B.

These numbers are truly striking, especially if you compare them with those from a few years ago. Smartphone gaming was considered a secondary part of the industry, but this is no longer the case. The market has matured into an enormous ecosystem that covers casual and competitive titles.

People Download 95K Mobile Games Every Minute

Something that truly impressed me is the stats behind mobile games. Based on a report from Sensor Tower, there are 52 billion downloads across mobile, PC and consoles in 2025. A quick look at the mobile section, however, shows that people get around 95,000 games every minute.

Most of these mobile games are free, but they also have in-app purchases. Considering the stats, mobile gaming was responsible for around $82B in in-app purchase revenue in 2025. Revenue actually increased even as download growth slowed, suggesting that devs are trying to keep existing users active.

Mobile Gaming is Competing for More than Just Players

It’s worth noting that mobile games are not just competing for new players; they are also competing for attention. Many users don’t have that much free time at hand, so mobile games are essentially in a competition with social media and other applications. To give themselves better chances, many of them are free to play and will even offer daily rewards, limited-time events and battle passes.

Smartphone Gaming and Online Betting

One of the reasons the gaming industry has so many new fans is online betting. The two rely on each other and grow together, and there is no arguing that smartphone gaming affects it as well.

Nowadays, users have become accustomed to opening an app and receiving entertainment right away. Mobile games offer just that, and they usually come with constant updates and give people the chance to play anywhere.

Sportsbooks work similarly because people can access them wherever they go. The vast majority of people bet on the go, so bookies invest heavily in mobile apps and mobile-optimized websites. All of that helps customers place bets in minutes.

Since everything is becoming more mobile-friendly, it should not be surprising that the number of people who bet online increases. A survey from the UKGC from 2025 shows that 38% of adults in the country have participated in online gambling in the previous 4 weeks.

Smartphones are very Important for Live Betting

People wishing to bet on sports can choose between pre-match and live betting. So-called in-play betting has become very popular among people who want to bet on the go, which is why having a good smartphone makes a big difference. Nowadays, users no longer need a computer to watch their favorite teams/players because they can do that on the go.

Based on some stats, the relationship between smartphones and in-play betting is stronger than some people think. A study found that around 74% of in-play bettors used a mobile phone to gamble, whereas just 50% of online gamblers did that.

Given how things are going, sports betting websites will likely continue focusing on improving the overall gaming experience for people. Now that AI is widely available, I also expect to see new kinds of features really soon. We will have to wait to see if this will actually become a reality.

Japan’s 47% Shows that Mobile Will not Replace Every Gaming Platform

Despite the remarkable growth of smartphone gaming, the stats also show that smartphone gaming will not replace every platform. Japan is the best example of that because it has a 47% smartphone gaming rate. Even though it’s still substantial, it is less than 50% and far lower than in other countries.

Going back to the stats I found from Newzoo, PC and console gaming should generate close to $46B each in 2026. Even though the numbers are almost half of those of mobile gaming, they are still huge. Considering all of that, I believe that the three types of gaming options will continue to thrive side by side, and smartphones will not “consume” PC and console play.

The Clear Trend

The clear differences between the Philippines and Japan in mobile gaming show that there is no single global gaming habit. Some markets are overwhelmingly mobile-first, whereas others have stronger relationships with PCs and consoles. Economic conditions, demographics, and established gaming cultures all play a role.

The consequences of mobile gaming reach far beyond video games. Online betting companies are adapting to many of the same mobile-first expectations. This is especially true around speed, convenience and real-time interactions.

Despite the fact that smartphones will not replace the console, PC or betting shops entirely, they are here to stay. These devices allow us to bring all of those forms of digital entertainment together.