The sport betting online arena is changing fast, from bets on AI to peer-to-peer websites and crypto payments.
If you haven’t paid attention, online betting on sports is playing in its own domain right now: Market size is booming, new technology is everywhere and even legal grandstanding is on the upswing. You’re either a casual player or a pro grinder, but the landscape is buzzing.
A market that’s blowing up
Let’s start with the basics: Figures don’t lie. Online sports betting market is projected to hit approximately $53.8 billion in 2025, and could nearly double to $93 billion in 2030, growing by some 11.65% compound annual growth rate. In North America alone, revenue from bets is projected to reach $32.95 billion by 2030.
Worldwide, the whole gambling industry was around $500 billion annually, and a gargantuan portion of it went to mobile sports betting. That’s a mega sized market.
Mobile, live and micro‑bets dominating
Mobile isn’t a laughing matter, 81% of gamblers now gamble on apps. It makes sense, gambling is at your fingertips, from the gym or purchasing a coffee.
Live betting and micro‑bets (like wagering on the next play or pitch) are everywhere now. Tie that into streaming and real‑time odds, and you’ve got a platform that feels like part of the game.
AI and data‑driven insights
AI is the buzzword, and no wonder. Machine-learning driven sites are predicting results, finding value bets and analyzing live data in real-time. AI software was projected to boost user activity, with a large portion of bettors enjoying tailored recommendations.
Sportsbooks also have machine learning to give them the power to post wiser lines and manage risk, along with looking out for suspect activity. It’s an arms race in technology between bettors and operators.
Peer-to-peer and prediction markets
Did you know about Kalshi? It’s not a typical sportsbook, it’s a CFTC-regulated peer-to-peer prediction market where you bet on yes/no occurrence events (e.g., who wins a game), not point spreads. It’s disrupting by being in states where legal sports betting is illegal, and it’s taking a big volume.
Another sportsbook making waves is Bally Bet, known for their large selection of sports to place bets on. For sports fans who like to get invested in various types of sports, Bally Bet is a great place to start, with their huge selection of sports events online.
Crypto and blockchain
Crypto is making inroads in sports betting. Blockchain enables smart contract bets, faster payouts, secure transactions and transparency. Dapps and on‑chain betting (like UBET’s AMM model) are gaining traction, and that decentralized vibe appeals to a tech‑savvy audience.
Consolidation and M&A
Great things are happening behind the scenes. Intralot is acquiring Bally’s International Interactive in an €2.7 billion deal, creating a big digital lottery and iGaming platform in Europe and North America. This is but one example of increasing consolidation in the highly fragmented market.
Bally Bet and platform partnerships
Referencing Bally’s, watch them. Bally Bet revitalized after departing from its own technology to Kambi and White Hat Gaming platforms. These deals made them able to merge sportsbook and casino operations in one app, for convenience and scalability.
And sure, if you ever check out Bally Bet, you’ll find it’s a sportsbook that’s all about sports betting, where customers can bet on all types of sports events and markets. It’s the complete package with all you desire.
Regulatory pressure and responsible gaming
There is legal action developing almost everywhere. Baltimore recently sued Flutter (FanDuel) for aggressive marketing they claim is aimed at vulnerable players. Elsewhere, calls have been made for tighter ad rules, betting limits and taxation, coupled with bans on neg college prop bets associated with athlete abuse.
Similarly in the UK, a survey said approximately 65% of gamblers would switch to black-market websites if taxes rise. So, the balance between protection and access is precarious.
Esports, virtual sports and new bettor experiences
Virtual sports and esports are growing quickly, especially among new gamblers. Operators include esports events, virtual reality and bet builders that enable you to build personalized multi‑leg bets.
Even more immersive, interactive products like VR arenas, social betting lounges and community‑generated props are coming as operators target Gen Z audiences.
Final thoughts
2025 promises to be a landmark year for online sports betting. With meteoric revenues, mobile convenience, AI technology, P2P, the use of crypto and increased regulatory oversight, things are moving at breakneck speed.
For bettors, it’s time to keep your wits about you: Choose apps that tap into AI to give you an edge, dive into peer-to-peer and prediction markets, and watch out for regulation changes (especially with regard to advertising and college props). For those who want a one-stop shop, Bally Bet has expanded to become an integrated sportsbook/casino app based on Kambi and White Hat technology.
In short, it’s an exciting era, whether you’re betting the game, betting on the future or betting the tech that powers it all.
