Research and Markets: Latin American Gaming and Gambling 2010 - A Market Expected to Generate US$200 Billion in 2010

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/0af35e/latin_american_gam) has announced the addition of the "Latin American Gaming and Gambling 2010" report to their offering.

With all the changes around the world restricting gaming and gambling, Latin America presents growing opportunities for investors, operators, equipment and technology suppliers and many more within the gaming and gambling industry.

The Latin American region has 33 countries with a total population of circa 569 million which dedicates a large proportion of their income to gambling. Land-based gaming and gambling activities have traditionally been closely linked to the tourism industry and Latin America is a region which continues to successfully attract tourists every year.

Travel and tourism in Latin America in 2010 is expected to generate US$200 billion of economic activity and is expected to grow by 5.1% per annum between 2010 and 2020.

The existing telecoms infrastructure and Internet and mobile penetration levels in Latin America, provide interesting opportunities for mobile, Internet and Interactive TV gambling applications. Internet penetration in Latin America by 2009 was at 32.1%, reaching over 182.7 million people with a growth rate increase of 30% from the previous year. Mobile phone penetration in Latin America by 2009 was well above the world average at 80% reaching over 469 million people.

Despite the recent global crisis, Latin American countries are on a fast track to full economic recovery and it is projected that the region will benefit from a 4 percent growth in 2010. The regions recovery, is the second worlds strongest after Asia according to the World Bank.

Most countries in Latin America, with exceptions to Venezuela which in recent years has become a socialist republic, encourage foreign direct investments (FDI). Foreign investors usually enjoy equal treatment to domestic residents and in some countries are given added benefits. All of the above factors are crucial for international gaming and gambling investors seeking to enter the Latin America region.

It is believed that if both the legal and illegal gaming activities were combined in Latin America it is likely that the region would generate over US $150 billion a year. The nine main countries included in the report generate combined revenues of over US $33 billion. Latin Americans spend circa US $10 billion a year on gaming and gambling and it is also estimated that on average each inhabitant in this region spends US $250 a year. Experts estimate than in 10 years the whole regions external debt could be paid with the money generated from gaming and gambling industry. Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela are considered to be the most prolific gambling countries in the region where slot machines, casinos, horse-racing, lotteries, bingo, Internet gaming and illegal gaming entertain millions of people each day.

Costa Rica has the largest gambling market in all Latin America due to its favorable Online gambling policies generating US$14.5 billion a year. Brazil has the largest lottery market in the region generating US$4.1 billion a year and when combined with its slots and bingo (although illegal) generated gambling revenues exceed US$7 billion. Third place would be for Argentina whos gaming industry generates US$4.5 billion a year. In Chile revenues are estimated to be at least US$600 million, Colombia US$2 billion a year, in Panama US$1.17 billion and in Venezuela circa US$1 billion is spent every year.

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary

Why Latin America?

Latin American Region Overview

Country Infrastructure

Gambling Legal Framework

The Gambling Market

Gambling & Advertising

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