Online social casino games revenue grew 8.6% in the second quarter to US$663.7 million, according to a new report, which says the sector will generate $2.7 billion this year in revenues worldwide.
US-based Eilers Research characterizes the market as mature and stable, as indicated by the fact that growth is shifting to mobile. Facebook’s desktop canvas revenue for social casino games was $329 million in the quarter, up only 0.9%, while mobile games grew 15.7% to $335 million, making mobile the biggest platform for social casino games with 51% of global revenue
Eilers identifies Caesars Interactive Entertainment as the biggest player in the sector with a 21.2% market share in the second quarter thanks to its Playtika, Buffalo Studios and Pacific Interactive divisions.
The ranking after that saw IGT, owner of DoubleDown Casino, in second place with an 11% share. Third was Zynga, with 8.8%, generated in large part by its core Texas Hold ’Em Poker app, which accounts for 74% of its social casino gaming revenues on Facebook. GSN/Bash Gaming was fourth with an estimated 7.4%. Big Fish Games, which operates Big Fish Casino, was fifth-largest with 6%.