Online casinos look to Asian markets

2007-01-25 16:39:56

A leading law expert has outlined the challenges facing the online gambling industry as it seeks to expand into China in the absence of a viable US market.

Growing liberalisation of Asian gaming laws, in line with many countries across Europe, has meant that many firms now see the continent as a potentially lucrative market.

Software provider CryptoLogic is among the frontrunners in the turn towards Asia, having recently announced the beginning of a partnership with two Asian online gambling networks.

And recent figures from China alone provide a tantalising glimpse into the vast numbers of internet users that could be accessed by such initiatives.

Earlier this week it was revealed that the number of Chinese web users rose by over 25 per cent during 2006, now totalling 137 million. Chinese officials believe that this figure could surpass the 210 million US users within the next two years.

"Despite the hurdles, significant inroads into Asia are currently being made by certain western operators," said solicitor Tom Lippiett, writing for the sportandechnology online journal.



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