A well known and respected online gambling analyst, Michael Campbell, of the Daniel Stewart broking company, has suggested that the US internet gambling market provides opportunities especially given the current economic difficulties the country is experiencing.

Campbell claims the US market has changed significantly in recent times with increasing pressures from companies within the industry. As a result legalisation attempts were made last year at both federal and state levels.

Some of these efforts were opposed however initiatives in New Jersey and California had been more successful. Campbell believes that if individual states introduced legalised internet gambling, it would likely have a domino effect on other states.

Online giants such as PartyGaming and Playtech are posed to benefit the most from business-to-business deals in a potentially lucrative US online gambling market he adds

Bricks and mortar casinos have endured a torrid time during the recession and are seeking to explore new ways of generating income added Campbell.

Our view is that online gambling will move ahead whether legislative change happens at Federal or State level or a combination of both.

Campbell expects to some legislative changes and the licenses granted during 2011 or in the early part of 2012.

The annual gambling market in the US is anticipated to be worth around US$90 billion which includes Las Vegas and Atlantic City which account for around 37% of the market.

Campbell suggests that the online gambling market is estimated to be worth around US$30 billion each year and the US market would be worth 27% or US$7 billion. Before legislation was introduced outlawing online gambling the US was worth around half of the global market.