Eye On Gambling (EOG.com): As Online Gaming Companies Strive for Recognition Caribsports Shows the Way with a Smile

With competition for business from online gamblers growing more intense in a burgeoning market, so are efforts by Internet sportsbooks to gain media attention becoming more fevered. A gambling-industry survey estimated that the number of people gambling online doubled in 2005 over the previous year, and there is no indication that the trend is slowing down.

(PRWEB) May 20, 2006 -- With competition for business from online gamblers growing more intense in a burgeoning market, so are efforts by Internet sportsbooks to gain media attention becoming more fevered.

A gambling-industry survey estimated that the number of people gambling online doubled in 2005 over the previous year, and there is no indication that the trend is slowing down.

The survey, commissioned by the American Gambling Association (AGA), shows that 70 percent of all Internet gamblers opened accounts within the past two years. Moreover, the research conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc., revealed that online gamblers tend to be more educated and more affluent than the rest of society.

According to the survey, 41 percent of Internet gamblers have incomes of more than $75,000 per year. Two-thirds of online gamblers are men, two-thirds are under the age of 40, and 61 percent hold at least a college degree. Is it any wonder that a market with such attractive demographics fosters competition that is both ruthless and innovative?

Online gaming has mushroomed from a small cottage industry when it originated a decade ago, to a global enterprise that will handle an estimated $12 billion to $15 billion this year, according to AGA president Frank Fahrenkopf. About 60 percent will come from U.S. citizens.

As one of the original pioneers of this industry, Caribsports.com has seen marketing strategies evolve -- from customers being wooed with bigger and more outrageous signup bonuses, to today’s trend of attracting media attention to help stimulate new business.

Most common is the practice of sending out “wacky props” to the press. It was once a valid approach, but now it seems every day a new proposition wager is born keyed to celebrities, natural disasters, current events, as well as sports. Essentially they have become clichés.

Recently, industry giant Bodog.com -- in a burst of originality -- cut a short-lived deal with Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air which would have turned six of the airline's jets into flying billboards for the online gaming company. When the airline reviewed the plan and realized its potential for trouble, Allegiant Air abruptly canceled the deal.

With tongue firmly in cheek, Caribsports stepped into the breech and has orchestrated its own attention-getting advertising arrangement with a prominent carrier by convincing Cryptonite Airlines to display the Carib website address on its fleet.

Although the terms were not disclosed, a representative from the aviation company said, "That's one small step for Caribsports.com, but one giant leap for online gaming."

Caribsports spokesman William Caesar noted that the company has prospered in a competitive environment because, “Over the years we have always been creative and stayed several jumps ahead of the others."

He hinted that the sportsbook has several other newsworthy maneuvers in the works which it will implement shortly.

Caribsports.com is a full service online sportsbook, racebook, casino and poker room. It operates under a Preferred License issued by the Director of Offshore Gaming, Antigua and Barbuda.

Founded in 1993, Caribsports.com is a pioneer of the offshore gaming industry and is known for its credo, "You Play, We Pay." Since its inception, it has paid out over $300 million to its customers. Currently it services over 13,000 active customers in North America, Europe and Asia.

For further information on this wagering option or any other sports betting or casino opportunities, please visit Eye On Gambling (http://www.eog.com) and the EOG Forums (http://www.eog.com/forums/).

-- EYE ON GAMBLING (www.eog.com)

About Eye On Gambling:
EOG is a gambling information portal providing current news and editorial on a wide range of sports betting and poker topics. Segments include Industry News, Sports News, Poker Insights, quantitative and qualitative sports data, Live Odds, Live Scoring, Free and Paid Picks, online Poker, and a Posting Forum community. EOG.com features distinguished sports gambling writers such as Doyle Brunson, Stephen Nover, Reed Holmes, Buzz Daly, Ken Weitzner, Mike Murray, Glaken Centaine and many more.

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