Gambling & Sex On Mobiles $64b Industry

Gambling, sex and “infotainment” will triple the value of mobile entertainment services globally from US$20 billion to $64 billion by 2012, according to US-based Juniper Research.

The growth is inevitable, despite excessive data services costs, poor network speeds and coverage and poor user interfaces, Juniper says.

Music will lead the mobile services growth, almost doubling to $17.6 billion. But mobile games will be just a whisker behind, bringing in $16 billion a year by 2012.

Mobile broadcast networks now being set up in emerging markets should drive adoption of mobile TV.

And, yes, vice should add spice. Current restrictions on adult material and gambling services are expected to ease in the next few years, Juniper reckons.