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More Britons than ever are trying their hand at online gambling despite the worsening economic climate.
The results of an extensive survey by the UK Gambling Commission released this week shows that the quality of online gaming sites and the prizes on offer continue to attract players here.
Conducted by ICM Research the survey dealt with last year (including the final quarter of the year when recession loomed) and found an increase in the amount of people who say they'd used one remote form of gambling or another.
The news will come as a major boost to the online gambling sector here as it prepares for a testing year.
The Commission's study revealed that 9.7 percent of the 8,000 adults surveyed had gambled using a computer, mobile phone or interactive/digital television over the last month. This compares with 8.8 percent for 2007 and 7.2 percent for 2006.
FORMULA 1 RACING
Polish Formula One Driver Robert Kubica may be one of the world's best in his sport but he's revealed he enjoys hitting the felt when he is not on the tarmac.
The 24 year old BMW-Sauber seat holder said the game does not "compare with Formula One at all" and that was where the attraction lay.
Kubica explained that he likes the card game because it is "steady", particularly when compared to the high speed action on the track.
"In my job I spend a lot of time with a lot of action, high speed and noise. By contrast, poker and bowling are quite steady" he said.
Last year of course a number of high profile drivers were caught playing poker by F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone when he stumbled across a game.
Ecclestone accidentally walked in on drivers including Fernando Alonso, Rubens Barrichello, Adrian Sutil and the retired Michael Schumacher playing the card game in the Force India motor home.
Did Ecclestone demand the players returned to their teams and not pursue the game further? Not quite.
Not one to pass up a golden opportunity Ecclestone told the group that they should also play a game in the Hockenheim Paddock Club, no doubt mindful of the possible PR benefits it could generate.
The Paddock Club poker game did indeed go ahead, and Robert Kubica and his manager Daniele Morelli, Nick Heidfeld and his manager Werner Heinz, Flavio Briatore, Giancarlo Fisichella, Vijay Mallya and Bernie himself all put down $1000 apiece and also took part.
It's the biggest race in the world and on Saturday Britian will come to a standstill when 41 runners and riders go to post at Aintree to fight it out for the coveted prize.
It's estimated that on average every British citizen spends £2 on the National with most punters entering bookies for their one and only time during the year.
Sweepstakes will be held today in offices and other work sites across the country with most hoping to pull the name of HedgeHunter (pictured left) out of the hat.
The Irish trained horse won the National three years ago and now nearing the end of his career many will wonder if he's to go out on a high.
At 25/1 he's an attractive price though the favourite for this year's race is Cloudy Lane and when you look at the pedigree you can see why.
With outstanding recent form, this horse is well ahead of the handicapper and has exceptional claims. Donald McCain is the trainer and it was his father who saddled the great Red Rum. The only negative is that he is unraced at Aintree.
