Online Gambling vs Casino Stocks

International investors are looking carefully at online casino stocks as a new and potentially rewarding market sector.

The current global capitalization of the online gambling market sector is around $10 billion. Conservative estimates have provided a projection of $100 billion for this sector within the next ten years. These companies normally trade at around 15 to 20 times their earnings. This suggests that this market sector, excluding others that will come to the market in that time, could end up valued at around $2 trillion. This represents a 200 times increase in market share compared to today's levels.

Going down, then up again
Stocks of online gambling companies and their associated businesses such as online gambling software companies fell dramatically at the end of 2006. This market decline saw most companies drop to around 50% of their original pre-2006 capitalized values. This collapse was specifically due to an American witch hunt against companies and in particular against online payment systems that were associated with Internet gambling.

Since 2006, the stocks in all online gambling companies have recovered and continue to climb even during the dramatic stock market declines seen in 2008.

This suggests that online gambling stocks should be considered as an investment oasis, and a sector that will continue to benefit those looking for long-term visionary investment.

With the double blow to the economy of a housing crisis and credit crunch, wily investors should at least consider the online gambling sector as an optional investment for their cash.