As the revenue of online gambling rises year after year, so too does the revenue of markets affiliated with online gambling.  One such industry is mobile gaming, which brought in an estimated $200 million in gambling revenue for the year 2004, according to a report prepared by Mintel International.

As these numbers are not being influenced by the US market (as of yet), many analysts are predicting the mobile gaming industry to skyrocket in coming years.  The report predicts that mobile gaming will only account for approximately 2% of all gambling industry revenue by the year 2009; Yet, even at this rate, that equates to $3 billion in yearly funds, for the US gambling market alone, is expected to generate approximately $71 billion by the year 2009.  By then, analysts thing that mobile gaming could account for 4% of this total revenue, but would need further exploitation of the US market in coming years.

The technology has already proved itself in Europe and Asia, where many subscribers use their cell phones to go online with an online casino and log into their personal gambling account.  The gaming software is not as sharp as the PC version, but has been developed to accomodate cellular gamers, none the less.  Software development is another teeming industry that is attracting the interest of many investors and software giants.

Mobile gaming is also being developed to do more than just allow bettors to gamble online.  Steps are currently being take in Las Vegas, where legislation has been introduced that would allow Nevada residents to gamble at land-based casinos through their cellular phones.  The bill passed the state assembly with flying colors, and now awaits Senate approval.  Indeed, it seems Mintel International's report is accurate, and if anything, underestimated the potential and future of mobile casino gambling.

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