Increase in Visitors to Online Poker Sites

August 19 - Whoever believes that online gambling is heading downwards should read the latest report issued by comScore Media Metrix. This company regularly puts out a monthly report showing the top categories that attract online surfers.

Online poker players will be pleased to note that 'internet gambling sites' features prominently on the list of top ten categories that attract the US population that is made up of 300 million citizens.

All in all, the number of unique visitors to accessed online gambling sites in the United States jumped to 12,648,000 in July - an increase of 5% from the 12,038,000 recorded in June.

Considering that the United States is currently two years into the reign of the controversial Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, and there is no sign of the country's tough politicians letting up on their control over the online gambling habits of their citizens, these numbers are quite ironic. If the results of this report are anything to go by, one in less than 25 people in the United States accessed an online gambling site in July, despite the UIGEA.

Within the online gambling category, it is interesting to note the online poker sites that command the highest flow of traffic at any given time. According to PokerScout.com, PokerStars is by far the most popular online poker site, where 16,200 real money players can be found at any one time on average.

Other sites lag behind with their numbers. Full Tilt Poker attracts 7,700 players, iPoker Network sites attract around 5,500 and PartyPoker 4,400.

The top six categories that ranked above internet gambling in the Media Metrix list were, in order of descent: Travel - Ground/Cruise; Retail - Consumer Goods; Retail - Mall; Retail - Movies; Travel - Information; Travel - Hotel/Resortws

Read our online poker reviews to find the best destinations for this still growing phenomenon.