The online casino and gambling industry is experiencing an unexpected boom, according to UK government statistics.

The industry has grown consistently since Labour introduced the Gabling Act in 2005, allowing online casino and gambling companies to advertise in the UK, as well as several EU countries and white listed locations such as the Isle of Man.

The new statistics indicate that the industry is worth £2 billion annually, and that around 9 million UK residents will play online this year alone.  This includes online casinos, online betting booths and online lottery ticket purchase.

Much of the appeal lies in the opportunity to enjoy the buzz and thrill of the casino, in the comfort of a player’s own home.  The casinos are designed to deliver a vibrant and authentic experience, with the chance of winning some attractive jackpots, and many of the casinos offer the choice of game software downloads or in-browser play.