Online Gambling Consolidation Trend

Published: Saturday, April 25, 2009 Online-Casinos.com

There is a significant trend toward consolidation in the online gambling industry. Consolidation has become a fast growing approach since deregulatory measures came into effect in September 2007 in the United Kingdom. An instance of which was seen in the pools sector where Sportech PLC's acquisition of Vernons in December 2007 meant that the former now controls all three major football pools brands in the UK. Sportech now represents approximately 99% of the total football pools market with a customer base of over 700,000 weekly players.

In Asia Genting International the Malaysian gaming company that owns Stanley Casinos announced that it has lifted its stake in the Rank Group, sparking fresh bid speculation. More consolidation looks increasingly likely in the near future.

Betting and gaming online is expected to enjoy considerable growth. Recent developments in this sector include the fact that operators of remote gambling based in Great Britain came under the jurisdiction of the Gambling Commission in September 2007, by virtue of the 2005 Gambling Act. They are now required to produce quarterly statistical returns, so that the size of the industry will become more quantifiable.

The bingo hall sector looks in jeopardy,because of smoking bans and taxation. Online bingo is expected to take up the slack and increase revenues for those companies that have looked ahead and started offering bingo online.

Basically larger online operators are buying up the affiliate businesses associated with various forms of online gambling. Driven by an increase in broadband penetration across many markets and a growth in the popularity of playing on the internet, mainly because of the convenience and variety available now. Is it good news for players? There is still plenty of competition out there offered by companies operating across borders, particularly in Europe. Things look good for the punter for the time being, and with the vastness of the internet there´s always someone with a truly innovative idea just waiting in the wings.