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Mobile Gaming - The Future is Now
The Internet has altered the method by which gambling occurs, and this transformation is starting to have an effect on how people gamble. Online games do not need any traditional retailers, and retailing does not offer anything the Internet cannot provide, except that the consumer can physically see and feel the product.
The next step in the evolution of iGaming is mobile, and the online gaming operator must seriously consider being an early adopter of Mobile Gaming Technology.
Analyzing the market by ”product“ shows that wagering generally in betting exchanges and sportsbooks dominates at 38 percent with online casinos handling 23 percent of the action and online poker close behind at 22 percent. Skill Gaming and Bingo hold 2 percent and 5 percent respectively with online lotteries in a growth phase expected to surge from a current 10 percent to 27 percent by 2010.
Sub-market delivery channels include the remote gaming market (mobile or m-gaming) at 15 percent with growth to 27 percent likely by 2010, and interactive TV at 3 percent with surprisingly slow growth to only 5 percent over the same period.
The remote gaming market has been growing at a rate of 35% over the past 4 years and was estimated to be worth over $7 billion in 2004, the vast majority of which was internet-based. The mobile section of the gaming market only accounted for $5 million in 2004. However, industry analysts such as CCA, Juniper Research and Screen Digest estimate this grew to $1 billion in 2006.
Projected Market Value Stats:
- 5 million North Americans will use mobile sports betting services by 2011 should laws pass within the next year allowing iGaming in the USA
- Asia-Pacific region is expected to contribute the largest share of total gross revenues with 39% of the market
- Europe follows closely behind with a 37% market share, with the US making up the majority of the remainder
- Telecoms analysts Juniper Research reveals that mobile lotteries will be the largest money-spinners, with gross revenues of nearly US$7.9bn worldwide by 2009, followed by sports betting (US$6.9bn) and casino-style gaming (US$4.5bn).
Learning Curve
By being an early adopter of mobile technology, the online gaming operator will gain valuable insight and experience into the operational and marketing aspects of running mobile gaming. Since it is commonly believed that accessing the internet through mobile hardware will become the norm in the near future, the online gaming operator must learn how to be successful while the sub-industry in still in its infancy.
Additional Revenues
By being an early player, the online gaming operator has the opportunity to add to existing revenues without seriously increasing marketing costs.
The goal of integrating mobile technology now is to:
- Establish Brand Recognition in targeted audience areas including current The online gaming operator clients
- Targets specific user segments
- Leverage existing customer database and improve player conversions
- Build a positive reputation in the mobile gaming market
- Retain Clients and Establish Loyal client base
- Drive Corporate revenues
Please enjoy the overview into Mobile iGaming, and should you be interested in more complete information, please contact information [at] gamingpublic.com
  
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