Report Says Online Casinos Have Reached Industry Maturity

A report by gaming industry analysts says the online casino industry has reached most of its growth potential, and is now in a “cash cow” situation. The report says Internet gambling operators will now seek casual players, as most serious patrons eager to experience online gaming are already active.

In its report “Casual Gaming and Gambling on the Internet,” consulting firm MECN sees the future expansion of online gambling to come from lotteries, bingo, and other quick-fix games for customers unwilling to invest time in front of their computer screens. Combining gaming with social networking software is also predicted to continue expanding as a market share.

While the authors acknowledge lotteries and such are still mostly tools of state operations, they foresee a surge in casino operators investing in such areas.

“Large private operators will soon discover online lotto and numbers games. What started in 2009 with hefty investments in bingo will spread to lotto and numbers games,” says co-author Martin Oelbermann.

The report predicts that online lottery sales will jump from $1.9 billion in 2010 to $5.5 billion by 2015.

It is noted that such casual gaming is the majority already of online gambling in countries such as France and Italy. Fantasy sports and skill games for money and prizes are also future means for online casino operators to target restricted markets like the US.

In illustration of the report’s point, over 85 percent of Internet gaming operators say they are increasing efforts toward casual gambling and social networking in the next few years.