PASAY CITY -- Wireless service provider Smart Communications is expecting growth in the mobile gaming business in the Philippines with stronger sales of Java-enabled mobile phones.

The company has already expanded its Game Station WAP service with a series of tournaments for mobile phone gamers. The prizes include PlayStation 3 game consoles and over P100,000 in cash.

Gian Conde, Smart Product Assistant for Value Added Service and Data, said gaming is huge in the Philippines, as shown by the popularity of online PC and stand-alone games, as well as handheld devices, such as the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS.

The sales of Java-enabled phones that are capable of running games have also increased, largely because of lower cost of handsets.

In the past few years, Java-enabled color-screen handsets would cost around P15,000 to P20,000. However, some Java phones now cost less than P10,000, creating a bigger market for Java applications.

"Some people use their phones now not just for making calls or SMS but also to entertain themselves. If they are not listening to music, they might be playing some games," Conde said.

Conde said Game Station has about 5,000 titles in its library, the majority of which are casual games built only for mobile phones.

However, there are titles that are based on popular PC or console game licenses, such as the sports games created by Electronic Arts or Marvel. Some of these are being offered by Game Station.

Among these titles are Ironman, Incredible Hulk, NBA Live, Hellboy, Need for Speed, Deal Or No Deal, among others.

One of the more popular PC and console games today, Guitar Hero III, also has a mobile phone version.