A recent poll by the Wall Street Journal has shown that the majority of participants are in favour of the US government changing the law to allow online gaming. Although the poll – should Web gambling be legalised? - did not break down the different types of gambling such as bingo, casinos, poker, lotteries, online casino or sports betting it did show that 77.1% of those that took part were in favour and just 22.9% were not in favour.

The Wall Street Journal started the survey with: "Lawmakers in some states are pushing for bills that aim to steer around federal laws prohibiting Internet wagering. Since gambling itself is not illegal, should the next step be to legalise gambling websites?"

Reports have suggested that the poll has resulted in a significant number of positive comments however there were also concerns regarding the competition with traditional land based establishments.

Poster Rick Geiger added: "Gambling exists, web gambling exists, even in the US where the perception is that it is illegal, to the tune of over $6 billion now. The internet is an international platform and the idea that online gambling will exist all over the world but not in the US is childish and foolish. Online gambling should be openly legalized and regulated and taxed just like any other business. All we achieve by continuing the prohibition is to send money and jobs outside of the US.

"We have done studies showing the value within five years is over $21billion. People play games online by the millions and there is a confluence of online gaming and online gambling and online ecommerce. Burying ours heads in the sand will not stop technology or human nature."