And we’re off!! Online gaming companies have started advertising on TV and those in the industry believe there’ll be a surge in casino ads by the Christmas period.

Mainly popular in the Newcastle area, Aspers Casino, made history at the weekend after it became the first ever gambling company to have broadcast a TV advert following the introduction of new gambling legislation at the beginning of this month.

The advert aired during the first commercial break after the 9pm watershed on Saturday.

However, it only aired on ITV Wales and in the Tyne Tees region, despite the fact that gaming companies are now allowed to advertise on the TV, subject to certain restrictions.

Remote Gambling Association chief executive Clive Hawkswood explained: "Many of the big companies are holding off until later on in the year. I won't be surprised if it's all a bit of a damp squib in early September.

"I'm sure that, for online casinos, there will be activity, but much of what one sees as sponsorship will be transferred to advertising and it will be interesting to see whether the man in the street notices much difference."

It seems that constant reconsidering and rewriting of gambling advertising rules have put companies off for the meantime.

However, experts at Marketing Week predict that the coming Rugby World Cup will see a "flurry of activity", although only sports betting adverts is allowed during sporting events starting before the watershed.

Its believed many online gaming companies who are eligible to advertise may hold back on spending huge amounts of money on television ads until they see how successful the policy is for competitors.

Also some will wait until nearer the Christmas period when disposable income is at its highest.

Experts predict though that advertising on the small screen may transform certain sites and so British based companies would do well not to get left behind.