Asia and MENA Gaming Markets Forecast: 2030

Asia and MENA gaming markets are projected to exceed $100 billion by 2030, with a combined revenue of $103.6 billion and a CAGR of 3.1% from 2025 to 2030. The 13 countries tracked by Niko Partners account for roughly 46 % of global gaming revenue, while the combined player base is expected to grow from 1.77 billion in 2026 to 1.99 billion by 2030, a 3.1% CAGR. China, Japan, and South Korea dominate the region, contributing $91.7 billion in 2030 revenue—88.6 % of the Asia‑MENA total.

China’s market reached $51.8 billion in 2025, surpassing the $50 billion threshold for the first time. Growth is projected at 4% in 2026 and 2.9% annually through 2030, reaching $59.8 billion. ARPU will rise from $70 in 2025 to $77.68 by 2030, and player numbers are expected to hit 769 million.

East Asia (Japan + South Korea) saw a 3.17% decline in 2025 but is forecast to rebound, reaching $32 billion by 2030 at a 2.5% CAGR. South Korea’s ARPU is projected to exceed $300 by 2028, while Japan lags about $100 lower.

India’s market grew 14.8% in 2025 to $1.04 billion, with a 11.2% CAGR to $1.77 billion by 2030 and player numbers rising from 511 million to 707 million. Regulatory scrutiny, including a recent real‑money gaming ban, has paradoxically spurred higher‑spending engagement.

Southeast Asia’s $5.63 billion market in 2025 is expected to reach $7.01 billion by 2030 (4.8% CAGR), driven by Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. MENA‑3 (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE) is projected to grow at 6.5% CAGR to $2.94 billion, with ARPU rising from $10 in 2025 to $38 by 2030 and UAE alone reaching $100 ARPU.

These forecasts rely on Niko Partners’ proprietary market model, incorporating regional regulatory trends and macroeconomic factors across 13 key countries.