Global online gambling growth slows

The latest edition of Global Betting and Gaming Consultancy’s international Global Gambling Report reveals that global Internet gambling continues to grow, albeit at a slower pace than most would have expected.

The consultant has put forward five reasons for this slow down:

1. Rapidly growing Asian casino markets have had a higher rate of growth than interactive gambling in the period of the report.

2. Internet gambling has consequently not been able to grab a substantially greater share of the total gambling market.

3. In Europe internet gambling companies now have to locate onshore in most states and this leads to higher regulatory cost and taxation which over time leads to less resources to invest in marketing and stimulate the product offering.

4. US state lotteries should be making more of a contribution to internet gambling but have not so far fully embraced internet or mobile sales.

5. A declining internet poker market is also limiting internet gambling ability to claim a greater share of global gambling.

Any regulation of internet poker in a major US state would have an impact for internet gambling to claim a greater share of global gambling, with California potentially providing a significant boost, GBGC observes.

The Isle of Man-based consultancy notes that the key drivers for future internet gambling to grow are still in place namely:

1. Global roll out of broadband continues;

2. Widespread use of smart devices such as tablets and phones – 54 percent of UK homes now own an Apple iPad (source Ofcom).

3. Continued broadcasting of major sporting events on television is stimulating in-play betting which now represents more than half of wagers on sports.

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