Saudi Arabia’s video game sector has seen notable growth over the past two years, with imports of video game consoles surpassing 2.4 million units in 2024 and 2025, according to data from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority. In 2024, over 1.7 million units were imported, while 684,489 units have been imported thus far in 2025. The leading suppliers were China, Japan, and the United States.
The Saudi Internet Report 2024, released by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, underscored significant advancements in digital infrastructure, including an 88 percent improvement in response time for popular video games. The report also detailed usage trends, revealing that smart devices are the most utilized platform (24.2 percent of users), closely followed by PlayStation (23.8 percent).
PlayStation remains the dominant platform for the 10-19 age group, while smart devices are favored by older demographics. Whiteout Survival, Roblox, and Subway Surfers emerged as the most downloaded mobile games.
The Esports World Cup, taking place in Riyadh from July 7 to August 24, highlights the Kingdom’s expanding influence as a global gaming hub. The event features over 2,000 players from more than 100 countries competing for prizes exceeding $70 million, further solidifying Saudi Arabia’s standing in the global gaming and esports arena.
Read more: Saudi Arabia to invest $38 billion in gaming
Revenue growth projections
In addition to console imports and esports events, the Saudi gaming market is witnessing robust revenue growth. According to market forecast data, Saudi Arabia’s video game market revenue is projected to reach approximately $2.29 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 10 percent expected through 2033, driven primarily by mobile gaming advancements. Mobile devices represent the fastest-growing and largest segment in terms of revenue, reflecting shifting consumer preferences towards accessible gaming platforms. This revenue surge corresponds with Saudi Arabia’s broader digital economy expansion, which saw the communications and technology sector hit $48 billion in 2024, underscoring the strategic importance of gaming within the country’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.
The Communications, Space and Technology Commission’s 2024 Saudi Internet Report further emphasizes the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure strength, noting the mobile internet speed averages 129.2 Mbps and fixed internet clocks at 120.4 Mbps, placing Saudi Arabia among the top five G20 countries for mobile internet speed. Internet penetration reached 99 percent, with the Eastern Province leading at 99.9 percent. Daily mobile data consumption averages 48 GB per user—triple the global average—illustrating high engagement levels. These infrastructure advances enhance gaming experiences, supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to foster a robust, innovation-driven digital entertainment landscape.
