The global online gambling industry has enjoyed significant growth and development in recent years, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Asia-Pacific region.
As technology continues to improve, gambling operators have been taking advantage by investing heavily in software and hardware that facilitates high-quality iGaming experiences for consumers.
Improved connectivity provides a reliable platform for online gamers to enjoy stunning graphics, improved audio, and lag-free games.
Why the Asia-Pacific Market is Enjoying Growth
The Asia-Pacific region is ideally placed to make the most of technological trends. This has ensured online gaming operators have created a competitive market where consumers have a wide and varied choice.
Strong economies in Japan, China, and India, as well as populations that have a history of gambling, have made this a perfect area for online betting.
The area is home to some of the world's leading tech and game developers, and competitive gaming has a stronghold in many Asian countries.
The Countries Enjoying Online Gaming Growth
The Asia-Pacific region has enjoyed iGaming growth, but individual countries bring different strengths to the market. The varying gambling laws and regulations in different regions have also facilitated the growth of offshore betting operators in the area.
China
Gambling in China is strictly regulated with most of the country only having access to the state lottery. However, betting in China is possible in Macau and Hong Kong.
Macau's betting industry has led to it being referred to as the Las Vegas of the East. Macau's gambling revenue actually eclipses that of Las Vegas, and one of the biggest reasons for this is gamblers do not pay tax on winnings.
The casino industry in Macau allows consumers to bet on traditional card and table games as well as gaming machines and video poker.
New Zealand
Like Macau, New Zealand bettors are known to be fans of online pokies (online slot machines) and other popular casino games. As such, the best casino sites for players there offer more than 1000 games from trusted developers, Vlad Grindu shares.
Despite New Zealand's strict gambling laws that only allow lotto and racing bets to be placed online, the country's betting industry has benefitted from licensed offshore operators.
This legal loophole has allowed operators to provide online casino and sports betting markets to sports and gambling fans in the country.
Japan
Japan's betting market is regarded as one of the biggest in the world despite strict regulations. This could grow with news that the government has given three integrated casino resorts the green light.
This will be good news for local economies as operators will create employment to build and staff the resorts.
State lotteries are a legal source of gambling, but Japanese citizens must make use of offshore betting options for online casinos and other markets.
Australia
The Australian online betting industry was valued at just under US$5 billion with growth projections predicting the industry will be worth US$ 8.5 Billion by 2032, showing a 6.2% market growth rate.
The country is regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, which prohibits online casino gaming and betting in-play on sports events.
Retail casinos and bookmakers can be found across the country, but many Australians are moving towards digital betting because of its convenience and wide selection of betting markets.
South Korea
South Korea's iGaming industry is complicated, with most betting facilities being aimed at tourists. Only the Kangwon Land Casino offers South Korean citizens the opportunity to bet, however, the country's history in competitive gaming makes it the ideal location for online betting.
Offshore betting operators that target South Korean players have a market with a strong competitive gaming history. Widely regarded as one of the world's eSports trailblazers, South Korea has produced some of the top online gamers who have gone on to win millions in prize money.
Asia-Pacific Gaming Infrastructure
Some of the world's top game, software, and hardware developers are located in the Asia-Pacific region, including Kojima Productions, Csharks Games, Agate Studio, and many more.
With some of the world's top developers on its doorstep, operators will likely continue to improve gaming experiences that challenge retail betting operators.
