MECN's Latest Study
Published: Wednesday, July 26, 2006 Online-Casinos.com
CASUAL GAMING DIVERSIFICATION NECESSARY SAY EXPERTS
Skill gaming, bingo and fantasy sports assessed in latest MECN survey
The consulting firm MECN's new study "Casual Gaming and Gambling in the Internet" analyses some of the hottest topics in the industry - skill gaming, online bingo, and fantasy sports, says an announcement from the media and entertainment expert network this week.
The study includes the results of a survey MECN conducted among more than 60 industry experts who offered their unique insights and assessments.
The study found that some operators are already considering alternative revenue sources in case online gambling faces tougher restrictions, and previous growth sectors, such as online poker and betting exchanges, will mature.
According to many experts, casual gaming and gambling, which includes skill gaming, online bingo, and fantasy sports, represents such an alternative. Although some of the casual gaming and gambling offers have already been in existence for several years, the industry has only recently begun to seriously focus on them.
"It is astonishing at what speed this industry is currently moving," says Martin Oelbermann, co-author of the study. "We can see, for example, on a weekly base high calibre companies and investors, such as media giants Liberty and Burda, as well as Betfair's founders getting involved."
The survey found that there are literally millions of casual gamers, especially women. The main reason for the increased interest is the further millions of potential casual gamers and gamblers not yet targeted by the industry.
The MECN announcement singled out several key elements from the study:
* The experts estimate the current market size for casual gaming and gambling (skill gaming and online bingo) to be about US$ 500 million with 8 million registered players playing for cash.
* By 2010 the casual gaming and gambling market is expected to grow to US$ 1 billion.
* Experts estimate that more than 63 percent of the casual gamers are women, which is unique in the generally male-dominated gaming and gambling industry.
* As many as 72 percent of the experts believe that offering a large variety of games is the most important characteristic of a successful casual gaming site.
* Europe will be the most important region for future growth, say to 91percent of the experts.
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