When “Disguised” Gambling Surpasses National Economies

A new study from Gaming Compliance International highlights the staggering size of the global unregulated gambling economy, estimating annual betting turnover at USD 5.9 trillion. The report underscores the rapid rise of “disguised gambling” products - such as social casinos, prediction markets, skin trading platforms, and influencer-led competitions—which mimic traditional gambling mechanics while operating outside most regulatory frameworks, creating significant challenges for governments, regulators, and licensed operators worldwide. Read more