North American Betting Markets Expand Rapidly in 2024

In the United States, the 2018 Supreme Court decision that struck down the federal ban on sports wagering has led to 38 states and the District of Columbia legalising some form of sports betting. Mobile wagering apps now dominate the market, generating billions of dollars in tax revenue that many states earmark for education, infrastructure or gambling‑addiction programs. Regulators are grappling with consumer‑protection challenges, including age‑verification, geolocation and limits on promotional offers, while discussions about tighter federal oversight and advertising restrictions are gaining traction.

Canada’s esports betting sector has surged following the 2021 passage of Bill C‑218, which legalised single‑event sports betting nationwide. The market reached roughly $125 million in 2024, growing at about 7 % annually, with user penetration projected to hit 37 % by 2029. Platforms such as Parimatch have introduced specialised esports lines for games like Counter‑Strike 2, League of Legends, VALORANT and Dota 2, catering to a community that already spends heavily on gaming equipment and content. Provincial monopolies have given way to open iGaming licences in Ontario, stabilising Canada’s gambling GDP around $4 billion.