European Online Casual Game Spend Exceeds €1.1 Billion In '09

British, French, and German online gamers spent €1.13 billion ($1.56 billion) combined on online casual games in 2009, according to new data from the International gamers Survey Report. The report, conducted by research group TNS and Gamesindustry.com, found that British spent €320 million ($441.24 million), French €270 million ($372 million), and Germans €540 million ($744.61 million) on online casual games last year, separately. Breaking down those numbers, the survey said 2.4 million Brits, or 18 percent of all game portal players, spent an average of €134 ($184.80) per person per year playing games on online gaming portals in order to reach that regional total. Three million Germans, or 21 percent of all game portal players, spent €180 ($248.28) per year, and 2.2 million French, or 19 percent of all game portal players, spent €122.72 ($169.27) annually. The report added that 11 percent of European online game portal players consider social networks a "primary gaming destination," compared to 24 percent in the U.S. Online gaming is getting more attention in the West from traditional packaged game makers, the most notable strategic shift in recent times being Electronic Arts' $300 million acquisition of Facebook game maker PlayFish, responsible for titles including Pet Society.