With the abolition of the betting tax taking effect in January 2002, what impact will this have on the industry?

More than two thirds of consumers gamble on the national lottery - will online betting become a new medium for gambling?

What factors will influence the demand for online betting?

This is the first time Mintel Leisure Intelligence has analysed the online betting market, due to the fact it is a new industry. Despite the fact that online betting has only been established for a few years, it has made an extraordinary impact on the betting industry as a whole - not to mention consumers, regulatory bodies, punters and holders of sports media rights.

With the abolition of the betting tax taking effect in January 2002, what impact will this have on the industry?

More than two thirds of consumers gamble on the national lottery - will online betting become a new medium for gambling?

What factors will influence the demand for online betting?

This is the first time Mintel Leisure Intelligence has analysed the online betting market, due to the fact it is a new industry. Despite the fact that online betting has only been established for a few years, it has made an extraordinary impact on the betting industry as a whole - not to mention consumers, regulatory bodies, punters and holders of sports media rights.

In terms of revenue, online betting still accounts for a very small percentage of the value of the UK betting market, however, it is radically changing the way in which companies deliver their product to the punter. The traditional high street betting shop, which itself has undergone changes in the last few years, is being challenged by the PC (both at home and work), interactive TV and even WAP phones.

Trying to ascertain the value of the online gaming industry is virtually impossible. Firstly, many of the companies are private so accounts are not available. Secondly, the industry is in its infancy, with the major players having been present for just a couple of years, making time series analysis impossible. For these reasons market share is difficult to estimate. So, for Mintel's first report on this sector, the report will concentrate on trends and company activity complimented by exclusively commissioned consumer research into online betting habits and attitudes.

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:

- Bingo, Leisure Intelligence, April 2001

- Casinos, Leisure Intelligence, January 2001

- The Football Business, Leisure Intelligence, November 2000

- Leisure and the Internet, Leisure Intelligence, May 2000

- Cue Sports, Leisure Intelligence, December 1999

- The National Lottery, Leisure Intelligence, December 1999

- Leisure Venue Catering, Leisure Intelligence, August 1999

- Late licensicing, Leisure Intelligence, July 2001

- Betting Shops, Leisure Intelligence, July 2001

- Off Shore Betting, Leisure Intelligence, September 2001.