Approximately 12% of Americans bought virtual goods in the last 12 months

"Roughly 12 percent of Americans, or more than one in 10, have bought a virtual item at some point in the last 12 months, according to a new study by analyst firm Frank N. Magid Associates and commissioned by virtual currency provider PlaySpan. With the virtual goods and currency market estimated to reach $1.8 billion this year"
Source: Frank N. Magid Associates, as reported by Gigaom, 30th July 2009