The popularity of online poker soared during 2003, with £38m staked every day during December by gamblers around the world.

According to Ladbrokespoker.com, daily online poker betting increased from £6m in January 2003 to £38m in December, while £15bn was spent during the whole year.

Around 150 online poker rooms operate today compared with just 30 in 2002.

The company claims that 29 per cent of the UK population plays at least one form of poker online.

Although men dominate the playing community, women tend to win more regularly, earning £7.50 more than their male counterparts per £1,000 stake.

Players are most likely to be in their early thirties and reside in London and the South East, although players from Northern Ireland are more likely to walk away with some of the £3m won daily on Labrokespoker.com.