Although gambling remains prohibited in Saudi Arabia, interest in online gambling platforms among Saudi users appears to be growing.
Data compiled by Blask indicates a steady rise in interest among Saudi internet users. The Blask Index tracks the aggregate interest of a country’s users in gambling brands. The data reveals a significant surge in activity within Saudi Arabia’s online casino and betting markets over the past year.
User Interest Nearly Doubles in a Year
The index recorded a figure of approximately 484,900 in October 2025, rising to 889,200 in November and peaking at 1.37 million in December. However, user interest cooled in early 2026; by March 2026, the index had retreated to approximately 597,500 and continued to decline in the following months. Despite this, year-over-year data still shows growth of approximately 79.4%, indicating that market demand remains significantly higher than levels seen a year ago.
According to Blask data, among the top-ranked brands, 1xBet recorded the highest Annual Player Spend (APS) at 165,580, followed by GrandPashaBet (154,240) and Baji (104,220). These three brands collectively account for nearly 39% of the Brand Awareness Performance (BAP) among Saudi users, with a combined estimated betting volume exceeding $480 million.
User profiles also shed light on the demographics driving this demand. Users aged 25 to 34 make up 35% of the surveyed group, followed by the 18–24 age group at 25%. Approximately half of the respondents are employed, and 40% hold a university degree. Regarding income, 40% of respondents earn between 50,000 Saudi Riyals ($13,300) and 100,000 Saudi Riyals ($26,600) annually, suggesting that offshore operators are reaching a user base that is relatively young, well-educated, and highly digitally savvy. Saudi Arabia Prioritizes Gaming Over Gambling
While there is indeed interest in online gambling, Saudi Arabia’s official focus remains firmly on gaming and esports rather than casinos or sports betting.
In recent years, the Kingdom has invested heavily to build a global gaming ecosystem as part of Vision 2030, an initiative aimed at diversifying the economy and reducing reliance on oil. Launched in 2022, the National Gaming and Esports Strategy seeks to drive the growth of the video game industry, attract international developers, create jobs, and establish Saudi Arabia as a leading global gaming market by the end of the decade.
The strategy’s goals include establishing 250 gaming companies, creating approximately 39,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing around SAR 50 billion (USD 13.3 billion) to the GDP, and developing more than 30 globally competitive games by local Saudi studios.
Major Acquisitions Completed in Recent Years
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) plays a pivotal role in this strategy. The fund established Savvy Games Group to invest in gaming companies, esports organizations, and industry infrastructure.
Savvy has completed several major acquisitions, including esports companies ESL and FACEIT—which subsequently merged to form the ESL FACEIT Group—and the US-based mobile game developer Scopely, in a deal valued at approximately USD 4.9 billion.
Beyond Savvy, the PIF continues to expand its footprint in the global gaming industry by investing in various leading publishers and developers, further reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s long-term commitment to the sector.
Additionally, the PIF and an investor consortium secured the final major regulatory approvals needed for their proposed USD 55 billion acquisition of video game giant Electronic Arts (EA), paving the way for one of the largest deals in the history of the gaming industry.
The Kingdom is also investing in physical infrastructure. Near Riyadh, the PIF-backed Qiddiya City project is developing a dedicated gaming and esports district spanning approximately 500,000 square meters. The area is expected to feature esports arenas, gaming companies, entertainment facilities, and international tournaments, as Saudi Arabia seeks to establish itself as a regional gaming destination.
Despite growing interest in offshore betting platforms, Saudi Arabia’s official gaming strategy does not include plans to legalize casinos or online betting.
Government policy remains focused on video games, esports, education, technology, and digital entertainment; no frameworks regarding casino licenses, online sports betting, or a regulated gambling market have been announced.
As Saudi Arabia continues to expand its investment in the gaming industry, data from Blask indicates rising user interest in offshore betting platforms. However, there are currently no signs that the Kingdom is moving toward a regulated online betting market, and gambling activities remain prohibited.