Casino News / Editor / 12 November 2007 / Leave a comment

The Juniper Research organisation released its latest predictions on the mobile gambling market today (Monday) which remain bullish, showing a projected $5 billion in mobile casino wagers by year 2012 as major players move into the sector.

The report predicts strong growth in usage levels of both single-user games such as slot machines, and of multiplayer gambling tournaments, fuelled by a slew of drivers including: market deregulation, greater 3G coverage and adoption, and - crucially - a greater availability of simple, intuitive mobile gambling products.

According to report author Dr Windsor Holden, "Many online casinos are now moving into the mobile environment, while bookmakers such as Ladbrokes and Coral have partnered with leading applications providers to launch own brand mobile casinos. Furthermore, the recent success of casino products from mobile-focused companies such as Probability demonstrates the latent demand for these kinds of services."

However, the report cautions against over-optimism, observing that, recent deregulation notwithstanding, in many markets, including the US, remote casinos are prohibited.

"While it is possible - even probable - that we will see some form of regulatory reform that will permit location-based, mobile casino services in the US by the end of the decade, casino services - mobile, online or otherwise - are illegal in a number of territories and are likely to remain so for some time," said Holden.

Other findings from the report include:

* Global gross win from mobile casino services will rise from less than $5 million in 2007 to $133 million in 2012

* The UK currently accounts for more than 60 percent of total wager on mobile casino services, although this proportion is likely to fall to less 20 percent by 2012 as adoption accelerates elsewhere

* While adoption of multiplayer casino services is relatively low, average monthly wager levels have already exceeded $100 in several markets

Juniper Research assesses the current and future status of mobile gambling market based on interviews, case studies and analysis from representatives of some of the leading organisations in the growing mobile gambling industry.