, /PRNewswire/ — Live betting is no longer a side feature—it is becoming the main way people place sports bets. New data shows that 47% of global online wagers were placed in-play in 2024, generating around $27.1 billion in gross win, with the share continuing to grow into 2025–2026.
BettingRanker’s analysis highlights a clear shift toward real-time wagering, with forecasts suggesting in-play betting will exceed 50% of global activity by 2028. In mature markets, this transition is already complete.
Key findings:
- In-play betting reached 47% of global wagers in 2024
- Europe (54%) and North America (53%) already exceed majority share
- Football drives 56% of total betting activity, generating $53B globally
- Mobile accounts for 58% of European gambling revenue, rising to 66% by 2028
- Operators report up to 65% of turnover coming from live betting
- Markets with strong in-play products see higher regulated participation
The growth is driven by better product design and infrastructure. Operators now offer micro-markets (next play, point, or action), integrate live streaming, and deliver real-time odds updates at scale. Mobile usage plays a central role, as betting increasingly happens during live events, on the go, or alongside second-screen viewing.
At the same time, regulation is becoming stricter. Some U.S. states are moving to limit or ban in-play betting, especially micro-betting. Industry data suggests that restricting these products may push users toward offshore platforms rather than reducing demand.
Ethan Moore, Sports Analytics Specialist at BettingRanker, notes that live betting has evolved faster than regulation, raising questions about whether growth will remain within regulated markets.
The full analysis is available now here.
About BettingRanker
BettingRanker is part of the CasinoRank network, providing comparisons of sports betting platforms. It operates across multiple markets and languages, including dedicated regional platforms such as Bettingranker.al and Sports.arabic, offering localized insights for diverse audiences.
Contact:
Emily Thompson
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SOURCE CasinoRank
