Gambling and Games to Drive Mobile Entertainment Growth – From $17.6bn This Year to $59bn by 2009
A rapid expansion in mobile content, allied to a sharp increase in 2.5G and 3G handset adoption, will combine to deliver global mobile entertainment revenues of more than US$59 billion by 2009, according to a new report from Juniper Research.
But while adult content – frequently heralded as mobile’s "killer app" – will generate healthy revenues of nearly US$2.2 billion by the end of the decade, the key drivers of mobile content are expected to be gambling and games, with their respective markets worth US$19.3 billion and US$18.5 billion respectively by 2009.
According to report author Dr Windsor Holden, "Lotteries are ubiquitous in many countries, and if you start launching lotteries on mobile handsets than you’re tapping into a form of gambling in which the majority of adults indulge on a weekly basis, while sports betting and casinos are also high-revenue businesses."
Dr Holden added that mobile games were also beginning to generate substantial revenues, while sales in emerging markets – with little or no established PC or games console base – were particularly encouraging.
Other findings from the report include:
- The mobile entertainment market will reach US$17.6 billion in 2005, up by 71% on 2004
- After gambling (33%) and games (31%), the most popular entertainment services in 2009 will be music (16%) and sports (8%)
- Ringtones – which currently account for 31% of the mobile entertainment market – will contribute no more than 8% by 2009
- The increasing adoption of non-voice services in the US and Canada will push North American revenues to US$11.3 billion in 2009, up from just over US$1 billion in 2004.
White papers and further details of five new studies (Adult, Gambling, Games, Music & Ringtones and Sport & Infotainment) that comprise the ‘Mobile Entertainment Content Series (second edition)’ can be obtained at http://www.juniperresearch.com or from Michele Ince at michele.ince@juniperresearch.com, Telephone +44(0)1256 345612.
Juniper Research provides analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector, providing analyst reports, consultancy and industry surveys.
