Perhaps the biggest surprise awaiting anyone who hasn’t ventured into an online casino before is just how sophisticated the entertainment really is.

Admittedly you won’t have the pleasure of squaring up to some suave dinner-jacketed Omar Sharif type over a real life gaming table - but then you won’t have to pay the fees for a deluxe casino experience either.

However by choosing to visit, for example, Jackpot Casino online, you will quickly find the texture of the game is far more layered than might be expected - and realistically structured to allow any intelligent player a way of “dipping a toe in the water” to see how the game really works.

Live roulette or poker are as popular online now as they always have been in gambling salons across the world, and are increasingly interactive - for example allowing exchanges of ideas through a forum, and in some cases being able to participate in a game led by a video TV presenter.

Online is adapting itself to its target market, too. It might be fun to relax on the sofa at home and meditate on that potentially winning big hand in comfort, but many or most games are also designed to be played “on the hoof” by smartphone or tablet, allowing players a stimulating diversion while stuck in that suburban train that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere fast - or perhaps even a quick flutter during the lunch break.

Slot machine games give you exactly the sort of battle against odds you expect from a top of the range “one armed bandit” , but without the need to haunt amusement arcades or carry large numbers of coins.

Some of these games feature progressive jackpots, so it is possible to aim for sizeable payouts - even within the context of a game which is essentially about quick attention span and modest investment.

Meanwhile back at the home fireside games such as baccarat, blackjack and roulette are probably best enjoyed at leisure and in comfort - where the familiar setting (with any distracting noises firmly switched off) can be a far less intimidating proposition than a real walk-in casino.

You have to gamble responsibly, and realistically if your betting is sensible you will also be able to enjoy gaming much longer and with no undue stress.

It is very straightforward to set up an online gambling account - make sure your details are secure when you sign up - so long as you are over-18, Most sites offer new signees welcome incentives and bonuses to encourage an early flurry of betting, and this in turn allows players to get the hang of a game without the risk of expensive mistakes.

A little farther down the track real gamesmanship can be brought into play, and rewards can be planned for and expected.

But despite all the apparent attraction does online gambling really stack up as a main market leisure proposition?

All the evidence suggests it is growing exponentially in popularity, perhaps spurred by the fact that the gaming systems and new features are in a constant state of evolution.

In such a dynamic arena it seems there’s absolutely no chance of the typical player ever getting bored.