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19th January, 2011 :: 22:32:22
Source: Casinos Online
Regulator AAMS reports 28 percent growth last year
The perception of a booming internet gambling market in Italy was given a further boost this week with the release of official statistics by regulator AAMS showcasing growth in online poker of 28 percent in 2010.
Star of the show was tournament poker, which delivered 65 percent of all internet gambling turnover in Italy last year, with internet skill games increasing in popularity as well, growth rising to 34 percent & reaching Euro 3.15 billion (2009: Euro 2.35 billion).
Fixed odds sports betting also showed promising growth, up 11 percent to Euro 1.35 billion, whilst internet bingo, introduced to the Italian market in December 2009, generated Euro 146.14 million.
Operators are keenly anticipating more Italian action in 2011 with the expected introduction of poker cash games in February, & of online casino gaming mid-year. Many analysts are predicting that the launch of these two new verticals will double revenues in an already very successful market by the end of 2012.
The launch of poker cash games in February 2011 & casino in June 2011 has been estimated by analysts to double turnover from the Italian market in 2012.
HORSERACING LEVY DÉJÀ VU?
New Zealand racing hopes to impose a levy on bookies
Following the lead of Britain & more recently Australian horseracing, the New Zealand racing trade association is hoping to extract a subsidisation levy from local bookies.
National racing board chief executive Andrew Brown, who resigned last week to take his family back to the UK, has revealed that online betting on the horses via offshore operators is having a detrimental effect on his members.
He has reportedly suggested that New Zealand should follow in the footsteps of Australia & impose a 1.5 percent 'race fields' tax on turnover in order to support the industry, as it is unlikely that offshore internet bookies will voluntarily pay a levy.
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