The global mobile games market is expected to generate $46.1 billion in 2017 and account for 42% of the overall games market, according to Newzoo.

The market intelligence firm has updated its Global Games Market Report, which predicts the size of the market through to 2020. It suggests that the overall games market will generate $108.9 billion in revenues in 2017.

Of the mobile revenues generated, $35.3 billion is expected to come from smartphones, accounting for over three-quarters of overall revenues. Tablet gaming is still on the decline, though Newzoo states that there are still 280 million active tablets contributing to the market.

China continues growth

Looking at the market in geographical terms, the APAC region will still be the largest, with China alone expected to generate $27.5 billion in 2017. That's around one quarter of the entire global games market's expected revenues.

China's mobile market will continue to grow, thanks mostly to Tencent and NetEase. Newzoo estimates that mobile games will generate $14.6 billion in revenues in the country.

Elsewhere in the world, North America will see overall revenues increase to $27 billion, also thanks to a maturing mobile market. This growth will be due to not only more spenders, but also a higher average spend per paying player.