Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota & Georgia Lead the Way
The research, Mobile & Online Gambling: Casinos, Lotteries & Betting 2015-2020 , noted that the 4 US states (Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Georgia) which launched online lottery ticket sales, have all seen significant adoption. Michigan now has more than 300,000 tickets sold per day, which organisers say represent new sales rather than cannibalisation of existing channels.
Mobile Lotteries Release Pent-up Demand
Meanwhile, much of the new activity is being driven through mobile devices. The report noted that following the launch of a new mobile platform in September 2014, UK lottery provider Camelot saw 30% of online sales occur via smartphones and tablets.
According to report co-author Lauren Foye: We believe that the belated implementation of mobile channels by several national lottery providers is releasing the pent-up demand for mobile ticket purchase. As a result, mobile ticket sales are likely to soar over the next 5 years as deployments continue.
Industry Expands & Consolidates
The report also highlighted the increased consolidation in the European sportsbook and casino space, with the Betfair and Paddy Power merger quickly following that of Ladbrokes and Coral.
Other findings from the research include:
- More than 1 in 10 adults worldwide will engage in some form of mobile or online gambling by 2019.
- Growth in the wider eGaming marketplace will also be fuelled by increasing liberalisation of online markets across Europe and the US, driving usage of casino and sportsbook services.
- However, growth in Chinese mobile lottery space will be curtailed by the ban on unauthorised online sales.