Data from Juniper Research has found that the value of online gambling wagers will soar from just over $550 billion (€490bn) this year to nearly $950 billion by 2021. Wager levels will thus approach total spend on all digital goods and services by that time, forecast to exceed $1 trillion for the first time in 2021.

Juniper’s research found gambling activities were increasingly migrating to the online environment, with the majority of net growth attributable to users of mobile channels. It also argued that new technologies such as VR would provide a further stimulus to the online casino sector, which is expected to account for just under half of wagers by value in 2021.

The new format of VR will attract a niche clientele initially, though these participants will wager significant amounts on real world ‘casino-style’ VR gambling products.

According to research author Lauren Foye, “User engagement goes a long way towards drawing in return business. Providing features such as news and media on favourite teams, as well as personalised offerings based on past betting activity, enables greater engagement and is likely to reduce churn.’

Categories: Articles, Consumer Behaviour, Markets, Research, VR