Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash 

Southeast Asia should top your list if you're looking for where the next big opportunity is in online gaming. The region’s young, constantly online crowd treats gaming like a lifestyle. They bet, play, stream, and build entire communities around games that combine entertainment with real money stakes. Investors have started taking notice. With more people playing and regulations still developing, the region has serious long-term profit potential just waiting to be unlocked.

Southeast Asia is one of the most online regions in the world. Most people access the web through their phones, skipping the desktop era entirely. This mobile-first mindset makes it easy for iGaming to fit right in. Fast apps, smooth payments, and social elements like leaderboards, live chat, and tournaments all fit perfectly with how young people already connect online.

Across the region, it is not unusual for many players to look outside their countries for safe gaming options due to regulatory restrictions. In Malaysia, for example, a lot of people use regulated MY sites that are based offshore. These sites let them play in Malaysian Ringgit and use local payment methods. This shows that even without legal casinos at home, the interest in gaming is strong. 

For investors, it’s a clear sign that the market is ready; it just needs local rules to catch up. All they have to do is give these same communities a way to bet and win safely on a trusted local platform, and the commas and zeros will keep flowing in.

Europe’s iGaming market is already crowded, pulling in about €123.4 billion in 2024. Latin America is catching up fast. The regulated online gambling sector is expected to grow from $2.5 billion in 2024 to $12.3 billion by 2028.

Southeast Asia sits somewhere in between. It’s fresh, digital, and full of promise. The economies are booming, the middle class is spending more, and mobile payments have become second nature. It’s the kind of setup seasoned investors recognise instantly as undervalued markets on the verge of blowing up. Even the fact that the average bet size in Asia is 2.5 times higher than in Europe and over four times that of Latin America is enough reason for investors to pay close attention.

Nowhere is the region's digital readiness more clearly seen than in Indonesia, where mobile penetration is off the charts. 98.7% of internet use happens on smartphones. For investors, that’s a clear sign the population is already wired for engagement. Digital wallets like GoPay and Dana are everywhere. Players already use them for in-app purchases, so shifting to deposits and withdrawals for gaming is a small step, not a leap.

Tourism adds another layer. Countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines pull in millions of visitors every year. For many, casinos and iGaming lounges are part of that vacation experience. A few governments have realised this and started to view regulation not as a moral issue, but an economic one. Build entertainment zones, tax them properly, and you’ve got a tourism-fueled economy that also employs thousands.

Investors who dive into iGaming in Southeast Asia too fast usually drown in paperwork. The smart ones start small, partner locally, and build infrastructure that governments can trust. Many jurisdictions favour local licensees or operators, so investors who align with local teams can more easily navigate policy. Licensing models that include responsible-gaming tools like self-exclusion systems and transparent payouts make regulators far more willing to listen.

Tourism-linked gaming hubs are another strong move. Imagine an entertainment complex in Langkawi or a resort in Phuket, where casino gaming and online betting operate legally in controlled zones. That model’s already worked for Singapore and Macau. Expanding it throughout the region will allow operators to tap into tourism-driven revenue while staying fully compliant with local regulations.

And of course, it all has to be mobile. Southeast Asia has more than 360 million internet users, and people here don’t want clunky desktop platforms. They want quick apps, easy withdrawals, and local-language options. Add to that local payment methods like GrabPay or TrueMoney, and it begins to feel like a system built with the people in mind. Cross-border payments, AML/KYC compliance, and fraud detection are currently a challenge, so making them a part of mobile platforms from the start is quite essential.

Thailand is on the edge of transformation. For years, all forms of gambling except the state lottery were banned. Of course, underground betting still thrives. However, it's clear that with mobile internet penetration now around 88%, this audience is ready to engage. The government is considering legalising integrated resorts to boost tourism and create jobs. If passed, those entertainment complexes could attract billions in investment and make Thailand one of the region’s biggest gaming markets.

Singapore already showed everyone how it’s done. Its Marina Bay Sands and Resort World Sentosa became one of the country’s top revenue streams. Both brought in €3.6 billion (SG$5.25 billion) in 2023. With strict entry fees for locals and tight government control, Singapore proved that you can have a regulated and profitable iGaming system that is an actual boost to the economy.

The Philippines has led Southeast Asia when it comes to iGaming. Its gross igaming revenue grew to around €6.56 billion in 2024. The demand for digital betting, fantasy games, and esports in this market is on the rise, and it has shown no signs of slowing down. Too many people are simply comfortable with the use of mobile internet, digital wallets, and paying online. 

Both local players and tourists can play safely on licensed platforms, making it a good choice for investors who want a stable but still growing market. The government has also shown that it can manage rules while making sure operators pay taxes and players stay protected.

Southeast Asia’s iGaming market is growing rapidly. It’s already estimated at $14.83 billion as of 2025. The region has lots of mobile users, a growing middle class, and rising interest in online betting. As regulations develop, smart investors might want to position themselves for their biggest return on investment yet.