China online games market booming

Online bingo operators and bingo online industry observers may be interested in casting their eyes eastwards as reports from China show that online gaming in the Middle Kingdom is booming.

According to a story run by the Associated Press, "about 43 million to 45 million people currently play multiplayer online games in China", said Pali Capital analyst Tian X. Hou.

While online bingo games are yet to attract a large audience in Asia, maily due to cultural unfamiliarity, the revenue being generated by online gaming in the region should entice a few online bingo halls to try their luck in the Chinese market.

Revenue from the popular online multiplayer-type games has seen growth of over 25% over the last few years, according to Hou, with online games set to bring in as much as $1 billion this year. Analysts cited in the report believe China's total online gaming market may accelerate to about $2 billion by 2010.