Are online casinos becoming more popular than the real thing? It would seem that more and more gamblers are shunning flesh-and-blood casinos in favour of their own computers, and the gaming world has been quick to catch on.

In Britain it's thought that over £2 million a year is spent on internet poker alone. When one considers that the very first online casino was built for only $1.5 million (compared to the $300 million required to construct a new casino resort) it's clear that the net is proving very lucrative for the industry.

The very nature of the internet means it has proven successful in attracting players from all walks of life. Internet bingo sites such as foxy Bingo are especially popular with the female demographic, while fans of games such as video poker, slots and roulette are well-catered for by providers like Get Minted, Ladbrokes and Grosvenor.

Online gambling has experienced a huge surge in popularity in Asia, to a mixed reception. Some countries, like China, wish to eradicate the sport altogether while others see it as a great economic opportunity. Will the industry survive here? Various casino news reports point to industry growth in the East and across the world in general.