Kuwait’s Gaming Market on the Rise
Strong Expansion: Market to reach $9.32 Billion by 2031Kuwait's gaming market is heating up! The country's players can expect a big shift in 2026 and beyond, with the market predicted to reach $9.32 billion by 2031.
There’s a lot of talk about Kuwait’s gaming market. That’s partly down to changes across the GCC. Bahrain is leading the way when it comes to 5G penetration. Then there’s the UAE, which has introduced a framework for licensed commercial gaming, including a successful lottery. Plus, Qatar is flourishing as a regional gaming hub, hosting multiple international events.
That’s led to many discussions around how Kuwait fits into the picture. The truth is that there are lots of signs that Kuwait’s gaming market is also on the rise. That means that Kuwaiti players can expect big things in 2026 and beyond.
On a Growth Trajectory
One of the most important and positive signs for Kuwait’s gaming market is what analysts are saying. Industry forecasts put the country, and specifically its gaming market, on a strong growth trajectory. In fact, the Middle East gaming market is growing at a CAGR of 12.66%, and Kuwait is playing a significant role.
In fact, the market worth is predicted to reach 9.32 billion USD by 2031. The significant surge is expected to transform the market even further. Increased confidence will lead to more support, including additional investment. That’s likely to affect developers and players within the next few years.
What’s Driving the Market?
Of course, what analysts say are merely forecasts. However, looking at what’s behind those predictions can help explain why that growth is likely to happen. At the moment, there are small signs of growth already, including new casinos and increased attention from players, investors, developers, and media outlets.
The main drivers of the market, though, become apparent by looking at the bigger picture. It’s the tech-savvy population and infrastructure advances that are truly making this growth possible. It’s clearer to see when broken down into the component parts.
Demographics
One of the reasons that this growth is happening in Kuwait at this time is the country’s demographics. It has a young population, which is tech-savvy. The median age in Kuwait is 29. In fact, 78% of gamers in the region are under 35 years old. The government has taken note of this demographic shift and the population’s interests. As a result, support has grown, including esports events and venues.
Tech Infrastructure
The demographics and government support are key, but on their own, they’re not enough. However, when combined with technological advances, the impact is felt much more strongly. Two elements have helped the country become a mobile gaming powerhouse. One is smartphone dominance. Government reports show that 99.2% of the population owns mobile phones. The majority of those are smartphones, which enhances access to mobile gaming.
Speed is another factor, and the country’s 5G expansion facilitates that. Latency is low, meaning high-performance cloud gaming is possible. As a result, cloud gaming and streaming are some of the fastest-growing channels, which are contributing to the increased interest and resulting boom.