A global crackdown on online gambling Rest of World By: Hazel Gandhi 8 January 2026 at 14:06 The online gambling industry has exploded in popularity since the pandemic. Estimates suggest that its total market value has more than doubled from $37.5 billion to $81 billion between 2015... © Gordwin Odhiambo/AFP via Getty ImagesMen gather in front of screens at an online gambling hall at the Kibera informal settlement in Nairobi, on May 18, 2025.