The playing cards and board games market has seen considerable growth due to a variety of factors.
•In recent times, the market for playing cards and board games has significantly expanded. Its expected growth trajectory is from $20.31 billion in 2024 to $22.23 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%.
This progression in the historic period is due to the cultural and social importance of these games, fewer pastimes previously pushing people towards indoor games, the creation of standardized designs for playing cards, the emergence of printed materials and mass-manufactured products, as well as the creation of recognized board games such as Monopoly and Scrabble.
The playing cards and board games market is expected to maintain its strong growth trajectory in upcoming years.
• The market for playing cards and board games is anticipated to experience a substantial surge in growth in the upcoming years. The market, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%,
will increase to an estimated $32.37 billion by 2029. The anticipated increase for this period is due in part to the growth of the tabletop gaming community, the role of popular media in promoting board games, and the rising popularity of hybrid board games and app integration. Other contributing factors include the incorporation of escape room experiences into board games and the proliferation of board game cafes and experimental gaming spaces. Other notable trends for this period include the impact of game design and mechanics innovation, technological advancements in board game parts, augmented reality (AR) integration in board games, the production of eco-friendly game materials, and partnerships between board game designers and intellectual properties.
The escalating interest in tabletop gaming is projected to stimulate the growth of the playing cards and board games market in the future. Tabletop gaming encompasses card games, board games, miniatures games, and other tabletop games that usually require physical components and are played on a flat surface, such as a table. The rising demand, the broadening range of game options, the sociability and community aspect of tabletop gaming, and the development of gaming events and cafes have fueled innovation, enhanced consumer engagement, and cultivated a more extensive audience for board games. For example, as per the United Nations report in July 2023, about 70% of adults in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, and India have played chess at some point, with 605 million adults repeatedly playing the game. Thus, the increasing fondness for tabletop gaming is propelling the expansion of the playing cards and board games market.
The playing cards and board games market covered in this report is segmented –
1) By Product: Playing Cards, Board Games
2) By Age Group: Children, Teenagers, Adults
3) By Distribution Channel: Online, Offline
4) By Application: Private, Game, Tournament, Online Platforms, Education, Therapy
Subsegments:
1) By Playing Cards: Standard Playing Cards, Specialty Playing Cards, Educational Playing Cards
2) By Board Games: Strategy Games, Family Games, Party Games, Educational Board Games, Themed Board Games, Cooperative Board Games, Classic Board Games
One significant trend gaining traction in the playing cards and board games market is the incorporation of artificial intelligence. In order to maintain their market position, major firms in the playing card and board game industries are embracing new technological innovations. An example is the China-based CubyFun, which presented JOYO on Kickstarter - a novel blend of technology and typical tabletop gaming in July 2022. JOYO incorporates AI intelligence into six straightforward games, providing a range of gameplay styles and distinctive artwork, making it adaptable for a variety of preferences and scenarios. By integrating cutting-edge technology with traditional board games, JOYO provides an engaging and easy-to-use gaming experience that bridges the gap between digital and tangible gaming.
Major companies operating in the playing cards and board games market include:
• Walt Disney Company
• Nintendo Co. Ltd.
•Mattel Inc.
• Hasbro Inc
• Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd
• Blizzard Entertainment Inc.
• Ravensburger AG
• HABA USA
• Rovio Entertainment Corporation
• Games Workshop Group PLC
• Buffalo Games
• Asmodee USA
• Gamewright
• Delano Games
• Rio Grande Games
• Stonemaier Games
• University Games Corporation
• NECA/WizKids LLC
• Z-Man Games Inc.
• LongPack Games Co. Ltd.
• Fantasy Flight Games
• Czech Games Edition
• Blue Orange Games
• IELLO USA LLC
• North Star Games
• Grey Fox Games LLC
• Boda Games Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the playing cards and board games market in 2024. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the playing cards and board games market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa