Report - Social gaming market set to pass $1 billion this year

Research group eMarketer is reporting that social gaming is set to pass $1 billion in revenue this year.

The estimate indicates an increase from last year's total of $856 million, up 28 percent.

eMarketer also claims that 62 million internet users, 27 percent of web users, in the US will play at least one social game per month on a social networking site, like Facebook, every month.

Revenue on virtual goods is also set to bring in the biggest revenue share of dollars this year and in 2012, with marketers also expected to spend $192 million on advertising on social games.

"Forecasts of audience and revenue growth present an opportunity for marketers to promote their brands through social games," said author of the upcoming report, Social Gaming: Marketers Make Their Moves, Paul Verna.

Earlier this week, Zynga announced its latest game, CityVille, had passed 100 million monthly active users within its first 42 days online.

Via Reuters.