Following the strengthening of US laws against online gambling, the forecast for the mobile gambling market around the world remains strong. According to Juniper Research, a provider of analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector, all forms of mobile gambling will grow from US$1.35 billion in 2006 to US$16.6 billion by 2011 in terms of gross value of bets placed.

At present Europe is the largest market for mobile gaming, which includes casino games, lotteries and sports betting, but the Asia Pacific region is predicted to overtake it by 2008. In 2006 an estimated US$665 million was bet in Europe but by 2011 the Asian market is expected to reach over US$6.7 billion. Author of the report, Bruce Gibson, says, “The new forecasts confirm that there is still great potential for mobile gambling services where legislation permits. However, we have certainly dramatically cut back forecasts for the development of the North American market."

Sports betting is currently estimated to be the largest sector in mobile gambling, opening up a valuable additional channel to existing gamblers as well as creating opportunities in new markets. Lotteries currently represent the second largest sector, but is forecast to take the top spot by 2010 as lotteries and related games, such as bingo, exploit the mass market mobile channel.

As Bruce Gibson comments, “The downgrading of forecasts for the North American market increases the focus on the key markets of Europe and Asia Pacific. “ These two markets are expected to account for over 80% of mobile bets through to 2011. In May last year, before the changes to US law, Juniper Research was forecasting that the global mobile gambling market would reach in excess of US$23 billion by 2011. (E-01.16.07)

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