Smartphones make mobile gambling increasingly popular.

A new report from Juniper Research, “Good Odds for Mobile Gambling”, offers a detailed investigation of the mobile casino market. Already over 2 million sportsbook users are enjoying the newfound convenience these applications offer, causing a surge in Europe’s mobile gambling sector.

Through 2009, mobile betting enabled 70% of the global mobile gambling wagers, with a large chunk coming through Japan’s iPAT service. User numbers are expected to rise over 60% throughout 2010, according to Juniper Research. Spectacular increases have followed the arrival of iPhone and Android browser-based online casino applications.

Moreover, Apple’s willingness to sell BetFair and Paddy Power’s iPhone casino applications has given these service provides a decidedly noticeable and likely money-spinning new delivery channel. The World Cup games in June marked a milestone in mobile betting with more than 100,000 wagers being placed on the international sports tournament.

Dr. Windor Holden, the author of Juniper’s report, marked that the past year has provided mobile gaming services with the best possible conditions for growth. Not only are smartphones being widely adopted, but users are becoming ever more at ease with “m-commerce”. Going forward into 2011, the launch of a mobile lottery service is expected to make the US a key market for the mobile gambling industry. In a previous report, Juniper predicted that the global mobile gaming Industry will be worth over $48 billion by 2015.