A report from H2 Gambling Capital suggests that online gambling has increased by 12.5 percent in 2010. The gross win generated by the online gambling industry reached $29.95 billion and the highest levels of growth were found within the online bingo industry. While in the midst of worldwide economic troubles growth was impressive the number of online gambling sites decreased according to the data.

H2 Gambling Capital, located in the United Kingdom, is a provider of data and consultancy to the gambling industry. The company which supplies information to more than 500 clients uses its own software to monitor online gambling information.

Critics will suggest that the World Cup last year was responsible for the significant growth seen, however H2 Gambling Capital suggests after discounting the World Cup growth was still up 11.4 percent. The company tracks 7 different products and the results suggest that online bingo was the best performer. Gross win revenues rose by 28.4 percent reaching $2.67 billion for 2010. The company suggests this is not that surprising as it is the latest online gambling sector.

Online casinos rose by 13.3 percent to $2.67 billion and sports betting, which includes bets taken for the World Cup rose 10.8 percent to $12.06 billion. Poker rose at the slowest rate of 7.1 percent to $5.06 billion. Had it not been for the new French and Italian online poker markets the online poker industry would have in fact declined according to the data.

The number of real money online gambling sites declined by 160 to 2400 sites in 2010 which again came as no surprise given the increased levels of competition and consolidation within the different sectors. This is expected to continue into 2011 as companies look to economies of scale to remain competitive. H2 Gambling Capital expects low digital growth for the industry as many countries look to regulated online gambling in the future. Greece, Spain, Belgium, and Denmark are among the list of countries expected to provide opportunities in 2011. Mobile devices are key drivers of growth in 2010, and this is expected to continue into 2011.