A 2005 study by Harris Interactive and eMarketer has revealed similar findings to those in previous surveys on the online gambling industry. According to the research firm, most internet users in the United Kingdom and the U.S. state they have never won or lost money at an internet casino. 97 percent state they have never wagered on sports over the internet, and 94 percent have never indulged in a game of online poker.

Given that online gambling revenues have been estimated at $10.9 billion dollars worldwide in 2005, the high statistic of those unfamiliar with the industry represents a large untapped market. In the United Kingdom alone, 94 percent of respondents have never played at an online casino and 91 percent have never gambled on sports.

One of the major reasons behind this reluctance to acknowledge casino games online is thought to be the legality issues surrounding the gaming industry in the U.S. While the United Kingdom’s government has recently implemented legislation to regulate online casino gaming in the country, the U.S. retains a traditional anti-gambling stance.

The Harris Interactive and eMarketer study showed that most respondents are unsure where they personally stand on the legality issue. 32 percent advised they would oppose a government ban on online casino gaming, while 34 percent were in favor. Another 34 percent of those surveyed were undecided if they supported or opposed online gambling.

eMarketer has stated that the numbers of those gambling online conflicts with the results of earlier surveys, one of which estimated that 15 percent of all internet users in the U.S. were involved in some form of online gaming activity. While eMarketer does not dispute the findings of the survey, its report on the 2005 survey stated that “…if online gambling were legal in the U.S., online users would have been less hesitant to admit to gambling online, and the poll numbers would be considerably higher.”

Respondents were similarly divided over whether the current anti-gambling ban in the U.S. should remain. 47 percent stated they were in support of legalizing the industry, while 53 percent believed the ban should remain in place.

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