Asia-Pacific Gambling Economy Drives Wealth Growth: Seven Economies Rank Among Global Top 25

Mature Gambling Regulation, Robust Wealth Accumulation

Although the report does not specifically analyze the gambling industry, the data reveal a clear trend: economies with mature and well-regulated gambling frameworks tend to accumulate household wealth more effectively. Countries such as Australia, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan manage both land-based and online gambling through comprehensive legal systems, which not only ensure market order but also foster the growth of tourism, technology, real estate, and finance sectors.

In terms of average wealth per adult:

• Hong Kong ranks 3rd globally at USD 601,000, with financial assets accounting for more than two-thirds of total wealth;
• Australia ranks 5th at USD 516,000, with real estate comprising a significant 53% of personal wealth;
• Singapore ranks 7th with USD 441,000, where insurance and pension assets make up nearly a third of total wealth;
• New Zealand, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan also feature prominently, highlighting the breadth and depth of wealth growth across the region.

Wealth Growth Outpaces Global Average, Gambling Reform Fuels Diversification

In 2024, APAC’s household wealth grew by 1.6%, and personal wealth in USD terms rose by 2.85%, indicating steady expansion. UBS projects that Greater China and Southeast Asia will be the key drivers of global wealth over the next five years. The digital transformation and modernization of gambling regulations are increasingly seen as vital components of economic diversification:

• Singapore is developing into a “digital gambling hub,” supported by policies that promote technological innovation and regulatory compliance;
• Japan is advancing its first integrated resort (IR) casino project in Osaka;
• South Korea manages risk through a casino monopoly system and licensed online sports betting;
• Australia maintains a highly transparent and regulated gambling framework, providing a stable environment for industry growth.

Although Taiwan has not legalized casinos, its financial markets are active, and gambling behavior is still subject to existing legal oversight. In 2024, the average wealth of Taiwanese adults grew by 5%, and by 35% over the past five years.

Millionaire Numbers Surge, Wealth Becomes More Concentrated

The report notes the rapid growth of the millionaire population in parts of Asia:

• Hong Kong has 647,000 millionaires, nearly twice as many as Singapore;
• Australia boasts around 2 million millionaires;
• South Korea and Taiwan have 1.2–1.4 million and 760,000 millionaires, respectively;
• Japan ranks 4th globally with 2.73 million millionaires.

Importantly, wealth growth in these regions is often accompanied by asset concentration, with average wealth increasing faster than median wealth—indicating that high-net-worth individuals benefit more significantly from asset appreciation.

Conclusion: Gambling Economy Reshaping Regional Wealth Dynamics

The UBS Global Wealth Report 2025 emphasizes that wealth expansion is influenced not only by GDP and savings rates but also by asset prices, financial market access, and regulatory frameworks. The formalization and digitization of the gambling industry in APAC not only provide governments with tax revenue and employment opportunities but also act as powerful drivers of household and personal wealth growth.

As APAC economies continue to strengthen their governance in technology, gambling taxation, and social responsibility, the gambling economy is poised to play an even more influential role in the future global wealth landscape.