The number of online game players in China surged 33 percent to hit 66 million over the past year, said a report released at the annual conference of Chinese gaming industry that concluded in Dalian on Thursday.

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The revenue from online gaming industry in the country was 25.6 billion yuan ($3.7 billion) in 2009, according to the report.

The report said 64 Chinese games developed by 29 domestic companies had earned about $109 million in overseas market.

The report forecasts that the number of players will climb to 123 million in the next four years and the revenue may top 50.8 billion yuan.

According to a separate report by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) on Jan 15, the online population in China had reached 384 million by 2009.