In the world of esports betting, only five markets, the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, and France- generate more than half of total revenue and count the largest number of esports betting fans. But even among these giants, there are significant differences, with some nations spending much more on esports wagers than others.
According to data presented by Betideas.com, South Koreans lead esports betting spend, with nearly $100 per user, or twice as much as Americans and three times the global average. Here is how other major markets rank in this.
South Korea Has 8× Fewer Esports Betting Users Than the U.S., But They Spend 2x More
When it comes to esports betting, no country can match the United States in revenue and user numbers. In 2025, the global esports betting market is expected to generate $2.8 billion in revenue, and nearly one-third of that value, over $850 million, will come from the U.S.
Americans also make up the largest esports betting fan base, with around 13 million users as of this year. Yet, when it comes to average spending per user, they fall far behind South Korea, which counts eight times fewer esports bettors than the United States, or around 1.5 million.
South Koreans spend more on esports betting than any other nation because esports is a huge part of everyday culture there. Thanks to strong pro leagues and highly engaged fan communities that treat esports like mainstream sports, many South Koreans are willing to put real money behind that passion. The Statista data show just how wide the gap is between South Koreans and the rest of the world.
In 2025, the average esports fan will spend just under $35 on esports wagers. But that`s the global average. South Koreans, for example, will spend nearly three times that amount, or close to $100. Interestingly, they even outpace the world’s largest esports betting nation, the United States, where the average spend is only $57. Britons and Japanese bettors, the next two largest esports betting nations, are also closer to the global average, with $45.5 and $36.6 per user, respectively.
The Statista data also show South Koreans are set to increase their average spending the most by the end of the decade. While the other three major esports betting nations and the global market will see only modest growth, average spending per user in South Korea is forecast to jump by 10% to over $110 by 2030.
The World’s Biggest Esports Betting Spenders, and the Second-Fastest Growing Market
Besides leading esports betting with the highest average revenue per user among major markets, South Korea is also the only market to match the United States in terms of growth. While Americans fall behind South Koreans in average spending per user, they still lead in revenue growth, with an expected 39% increase by 2030, and in user growth, with a massive 44% jump by the end of the decade.
While far behind in total revenue and user base, South Korea is also set to post an impressive 36% revenue growth and 33% user growth in this period, adding another half a million users to the market by 2030. Other major markets will post much lower figures, with five-year growth rates ranging from 15% to 25% in both user numbers and revenue.