MILLIONS OF ONLINE GAMBLERS BY 2020 RESEARCH COMPANY PREDICTS

27 April 2007

40 million have played online to date, says iReach

One of the more interesting statistical reports out this week was published in Ireland's Silicon Republic, which recorded that research company iReach has found that online gambling to date has attracted 40 million users worldwide, a number that is likely to quadruple by 2020.

“The proliferation of new technologies has certainly helped shape a once embryonic marketplace with access to online gambling and gaming sites now aided through broadband internet, WAP technology and interactive television” said Ara Cho, business analyst with iReach.

The report also looks at the social aspect of online gambling, citing examples of online games such as "World of Warcraft" or "Second Life" where it's not just the game that attracts players. "World of Warcraft" generated $100 million in several markets during its first year partly because it offers people a place to make friends and participate in an online community.

Online poker sites and casinos offer that same opportunity to socialise and profit.

The United Kingdom alone provides 4 million of the estimated 40 million users in the online gaming world. That number is expected to increase due to the passage of the 2005 Gambling Act.

iReach estimates that there are approximately 340 000 Irish users who gamble online, making the continued profitablity in that region highly likely. Irish betting companies with Internet operations, such as Paddy Power have prospered and in 2006 the company’s turnover based on internet gambling increased by 44 percent.

According to Section 33 of the Betting Act, 1931, it is illegal under Irish law for an Irish resident to place a bet with an agent operating outside the Irish State but this is nearly impossible to enforce and implement, iReach says.

Neil Brennan of iReach said that 4.5 percent of mobile users worldwide now use their phones to gamble. Although the market for mobile gambling in Ireland is not very large at the moment it will surely grow, with operators such as Paddy Power using software with java applets to allow users to place bets from their phone.

Juniper Research predicted that by 2011 revenue from mobile gambling will have exceeded that of profits from music downloads.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa

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