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Aspinalls.com, Greenfield Online Release Report on Online Gaming Habits15 October 2001NEW YORK, LONDON – (Press Release) –- With revenues from online gambling set to grow from $6.6 billion in 2001 to $20.8 billion in 2005, Aspinalls.com, one of the world's great casino names, has teamed up with Greenfield Online to release the first extensive research into online consumer gambling habits. Based on the responses of 1,000 experienced Internet users, the research gives a clear insight into why analysts believe the number of online gamblers in Europe and the US will grow from the current 2.9 million in 2001 to the predicted 7.4 million in 2005. Conducted in late June 2001, the survey shows that just under two thirds of the 1000 respondents (63%) had already visited an online gambling related site – lottery, bingo, sports betting, casino - with 29% having specifically visited an online casino in the last year.13% had wagered for real. The study also revealed that online gambling is breaking down the gender divide, with women feeling more confident playing table games in an online environment. For example, the female to male divide of those who play blackjack – the most popular table game - is 32% female to 68% male in traditional casinos. By contrast, the female/male divide is evenly split when it comes to playing blackjack online. Likewise, whilst slot machines are the game of choice for women in bricks and mortar casinos – 88% of the women who had visited offline casinos having played them - just 24% of female online casino visitors had played their online equivalent according to the research. Russell Foreman, Chief Executive Officer of Aspinalls Online Plc, commented: "Online gambling is a young industry, but one that has a huge potential for growth. However, there is genuine unease amongst internet users about visiting online casinos run by unrecognised operators. That is why we believe Aspinalls.com, with its 40 year heritage and long established reputation for trust, reliability and customer service, is excellently positioned to succeed." According to the research, close to half of the 1000 respondents agreed that they would prefer an online gambling site run by a well-known, traditional casino - just 11% disagreeing. Likewise, 56% of those who had visited online gambling sites were extremely concerned about the safety of using credit cards or receiving their winnings online. Russell Foreman: "With over 14,000 online gambling sites operating on the web at any time, the public is right to be concerned about security issues. Our advice is simple - always check out the full credentials of any operator before signing-up to them. And if there is any doubt – go elsewhere." The first online-only casino business to be publicly traded, Aspinalls.com launched its first two online casinos – the London Casino and Caribbean Casino - in June 2001. |