Media mogul Rupert Murdoch has revealed that UK-headquartered satellite broadcaster BSkyB expects to generate around £700 million of online betting revenues by 2005.

Speaking at a satellite conference in New York, Murdoch revealed that BSkyB’s interactive gambling services had become a “major growth engine” within two months of being rolled out. “Analysts expect online betting to become a staple in nearly eight million UK homes in the next four years, creating a £10 billion market,” Murdoch continued.

BSkyB commented that the forecast growth in online betting can be achieved by using several different outlets, such as the web, interactive TV and telephone.

News source: The Times (London)