The American Gaming Association presented the 8th annual State of the States: The AGA Survey of Casino Entertainment. This year\’s report features a special section dedicated to gambling and the internet.
According to a recent poll conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, the typical US internet gambler is under 40, college-educated male who makes more than $60,000 per year, plays poker and casino games in about equal numbers, and gambles on the internet not because he expects to make money, but because it is entertaining and convenient.
Interestingly enough, despite the fact that they regularly gamble online, 55 per cent of respondents believe that online casinos find ways to cheat players, and 46 per cent believe other players who gamble online find ways to cheat.
The survey also revealed that 70 per cent of respondents started gambling online within the past two years, with a mere 19 per cent of them realizing or willing to admit that the activity currently is illegal in the US.
“Even though our member companies currently aren\’t involved in the online gaming market, and the overall percentage of Americans who gamble online is relatively small, there\’s no doubt this issue has captured the attention of the media, members of Congress and the American public,” said Frank Fahrenkopf Jr, President and CEO of the AGA.
“We strive to make each year\’s State of the States report the most comprehensive information resource not only on the current state of our industry, but the most significant emerging trends in gaming, so it was important that we take a look at this growing phenomenon.”
To obtain a full copy of the 2006 State of the States, log on to http://www.americangaming.org.
In separate news, Progressive Gaming International has received approval for its Rapid Bet Live product from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The casino software supplier successfully completed a 30 day field trial at the Palms Hotel and Casino.
RBL, which enables patrons to place live, real time-time wagers on professional and collegiate sporting events, is now commercially available to be distributed at race and sports books throughout Nevada.
Progressive Gaming International expects to submit to the Nevada Gaming Control Board for approval its wireless edition of RBL within the next two months.
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