[UK to lead mobile gambling spending through next year and accounts for more than 30% of bets placed in 2008. This amount is expected to decline as mobile gambling services are deployed elsewhere.]

Hampshire, UK -- In stark contrast to much of the entertainment and leisure sector, gambling via mobile phones will perform strongly in 2009, led by the UK market, according to research just released.

The Juniper Research report found that total wagers on mobile phones are expected to more than double in 2009 to more than $3.6bn, where as user spending on mobile TV and mobile games will be adversely impacted by the global economic downturn.

According to report author Dr. Windsor Holden, "Gambling is essentially a recession-proof industry, as while there may be marginal reductions in the level of stakes amongst casual users, the overall appetite for gambling per se will be unaffected. Furthermore, with the growing availability of betting services on-portal, the mobile is an increasingly convenient and user-friendly means of placing a bet."

The Juniper report also noted that the overwhelming majority of leading European bookmakers now offer some form of betting service on the mobile, with several having partnered with leading network operators.

However, the report noted that regulatory restrictions remained a key impediment to mass adoption, even in countries where mobile betting services were permitted, and argued that national and state governments needed to implement a clear and transparent framework governing all forms of mobile gambling services for the benefit of both consumers and service providers.

Other findings from the Juniper Research report include

-- Mobile betting will account for 75% of all gambling on mobile handsets in 2008, with casino-type gambling the second-largest sector

-- The UK alone will account for more than 30% of bets placed in 2008, although this proportion will decline to just 8% by 2013 due to increased deployment of services elsewhere

-- Global gross win from mobile betting services is expected to exceed $1bn annually by 2012

Juniper Research assesses the current and future status of the mobile gambling market based on interviews, case studies and analysis from representatives of some of the leading organisations in the growing mobile gambling industry.

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