ONE in TEN people you know is doing it RIGHT NOW.

In just three years, that could be SIX in TEN...and whether you are cashing in on this incredible market or not, they will be there, playing online browser based games, 24 hours a day.

The potential reach of the internet is incredible. With broadband (allowing quicker internet access) reaching more and more homes and internet cafés, the popularity of live interaction with others online is booming.

It is the speed of today's home internet connections that is driving this market. In the USA, nearly 75% of internet users had broadband at home last year, up from 57% only one year previous...and internet usage in India increased by 54% in one year alone.

The internet is the fastest growing market in the history of the world but there is currently one market that is growing at four times the rate of overall internet growth. People are no longer just using the web for gathering information anymore; they now see it as a primary source of entertainment. The popularity of this trend is even beginning to eat into TV-viewing figures and as a result it is affecting TV advertising revenue. Meanwhile, in-game advertising is forecast to grow by 70% year-on-year, to be worth billions of dollars in just three years time. Therefore, it's no real surprise that TV companies are determined to secure their piece of online games real estate - buying businesses, launching games sites and placing their content online in an interactive form.

Alex Burmaster, European Internet Analyst, Nielsen/NetRatings (a global leader in internet media and market research) said, "Take the fact that the online games sector is growing at four times the rate of overall internet growth together with the increasing numbers online and it is easy to see why companies such as MTV Networks are looking to get a piece of the action."

The online browser based games sector has been identified as the next step in the evolution of online entertainment and people of all ages, from around the globe, are already playing in their millions. And within this sector, "casual skill-based games" heads the popularity table.

What are casual skill games?

Casual games of skill are familiar, enjoyable online computer games such as:

• Shooting games online
• Online sport games
• Online pool games
• Online puzzle games
• Basketball games online
• Online dart games

These types of games are played in a tournament style format online, with each individual paying a cash entry fee to participate and with a cash or merchandise prize going to the winner or winners of the tournament. Skill-based games are given this name due to the fact that the outcome of each competition is based on the players' ability and performance, with any elements of luck eliminated. Therefore, skill games are not classed as gambling and as a result avoid falling under most countries' strict anti-gambling statutes.

People around the world like to play these online computer games for a fun and exciting challenge. Playing them online against someone else adds an extra social and competitive element; and competing for cash prizes between USD$1 and $1,000 upwards adds an extra dynamic that makes them even more exciting and rewarding!

There are millions of people from all over the world playing online browser based games at this very moment and this figure is set to treble over the coming three years. If you are interested in making an additional income, there are a few good skill games sites that actually offer affiliate programs; so you now have the opportunity to tap into this incredible market right at the start of the next huge global growth wave.