ITALIAN ONLINE POKER DELIVERS IMPRESSIVE GROWTH

Posted 1/19/11 : 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 and 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, and 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 and casino in June 2011 has been estimated by analysts to double turnover from the Italian market in 2012.