According to NewZoo, only 20 percent gamers made online payments using credit cards in 2011, decreasing from 26 percent in 2010. Pre-payment specialist Ukash indicates that nine out of ten of its customers prefer to use a cash alternative to credit and debit cards.

“It’s far from game over for cash,” said Ukash CEO David Hunter. “We’re seeing demand from publishers and gamers for alternative payment.”

Pre-paid specialists InComm, Microsoft, PaySafeCard and Ukash, have all seen sales rise year-on-year.