There is no surprise to learn that in the online casino market it is going to more than Double by 2010 according to Screen Digest as easier to play gambling sites will boost the growth over the next few years.

The excellent strength of UK consumer spending on online gambling from 2000 was initially generated by predominantly 'hard core' gamblers. but in the future the growth will emerge through more leisure oriented consumers from 2006 as demonstrated by the emergence and growth of simpler gambling formats targeting the mass market, in particular gaming and lotto.

For the first time gambling products are competing with other forms of mass entertainment for consumer attention and spending. This report is essential reading for online gambling operators, investors in the industry, technology providers and sub-contractors as well as media companies looking to generate revenues from broadband services.

Screen Digest forecasts that UK consumer spending on online gambling will increase from £660m in 2005 to £1.6bn in 2010. At the same time the number of active UK clients will grow from 1.1m in 2005 to 2.1m in 2010.

The report profiles 30 online gambling industry leaders. For inclusion in this study operators must either be based or listed in the UK, or target UK-based gamblers. An historic, cultural acceptance of gambling, a regulatory framework which directly confronts the issues unique to online gambling and the benefits of London as a global financial centre have made the UK an essential base for many of the leading operators.

Operators covered in the report:

William Hill Ladbrokes Coral Eurobet Victor Chandler Tote Sport Ukbetting Paddy Power Blue Square Stanley Leisure Sportech Sportingbet Skybet Betonsports Stan James Betinternet Bet365 Gamebookers Unibet Betfair Betdaq iBetx Betsson Partygaming 888 Holdings Empire Online Gaming Corporation Gaming VC Sporting Index IG Group UK National Lottery