The latest TIME and Statista ranking of the World’s Best Companies 2025 has placed some of the world’s biggest gambling, casino and iGaming operators alongside technology and banking titans. From Las Vegas Strip resorts to online betting leaders, the industry’s presence in the 1,000-strong list shows how gambling has become a mainstream global business.
The methodology behind the ranking rests on three pillars: employee satisfaction, revenue growth, and sustainability transparency. As TIME put it, the study identified “1,000 companies forging the path into the future,” consolidating scores from global staff surveys, growth metrics, and ESG disclosures into a single weighted model.
Flutter leads the way
The highest-placed gambling company in the ranking is Flutter Entertainment, which came in at number 200 with a score of 86.55. Best known as the parent company of FanDuel in the United States, Paddy Power and Betfair in the UK, and Sportsbet in Australia, Flutter has established itself as a powerhouse in sports betting and online gaming.
Flutter’s performance was particularly strong in the revenue growth dimension, rated “Very High.” The company has started 2025 with momentum: in its first-quarter results, it reported an 8 percent rise in group revenue to $3.67 billion. Net income surged 289 percent to $335 million, driven by record player engagement, especially in the US, where revenue climbed 18 percent to $1.67 billion. FanDuel, its flagship brand in North America, now commands 43 percent of the US sportsbook market and 27 percent of iGaming. Strategic acquisitions of Italy’s Snai and Brazil’s NSX were also cited as key drivers.
Resort giants: Sands and MGM
Las Vegas Sands Corp, ranked 208 with a score of 86.36, is one of the world’s most recognisable names in the casino and hospitality sector. The company, which operates integrated resorts in Macau and Singapore, was credited with “Outstanding” revenue growth.
MGM Resorts International, meanwhile, landed at rank 306 with a score of 84.80. With properties spanning Las Vegas to Macau, and a growing footprint in online betting through BetMGM, the company has managed “Very High” revenue growth.
The group is also eyeing expansion in West Asia. Construction is underway on a $2.5bn beachfront resort in Dubai, developed with government-owned partner Wasl, though the firm has yet to secure a casino licence. The project is slated for a 2028 opening.
Established American names: Caesars, Penn and Hard Rock
Further down the ranking, Caesars Entertainment appeared at number 690, with a score of 79.24. Known for its network of casinos across the US, including Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the company was assessed as having “Moderate” revenue growth.
Penn Entertainment, at rank 880 on the TIME’s list, with a score of 75.64, rounds out the gambling contingent on the list. Formerly Penn National Gaming, the company has been repositioning itself in recent years, particularly through its sports betting platform ESPN Bet, launched in partnership with Disney’s ESPN.
Hard Rock International, ranked 711 with a score of 78.88, was recognised for “Very High” revenue growth. Headquartered in Florida and famous for its guitar-shaped hotels and Hard Rock Café venues, the company has built a strong casino portfolio stretching from Atlantic City to Florida and beyond.
Gaming tech: Universal and Novomatic
It’s not only the casino giants making waves. Japan’s Universal Entertainment, ranked 731 with a score of 78.62, represents the strength of Asia’s gaming technology sector. Active across IT, electronics, and hardware, the group was credited with “Outstanding” revenue growth, a sign of how innovation in gaming devices remains a cornerstone of the industry.
Austria’s NOVOMATIC AG Group, close behind at rank 782 with a score of 77.91, adds further weight to the technology side of the business. One of the world’s largest suppliers of slot machines and gaming systems, it posted “High” revenue growth. Though less visible to casual players than the big casino operators, NOVOMATIC’s presence on the list signals the recognition of gaming technology firms in the global business landscape, with influence extending across Europe, Latin America and Asia.
