Well, we're two week's into the New Year and if people are still making resolutions there's still time to take stock of what transpired in 2008.

There weren't any earth moving events—at least in terms of the gambling industry—but there were definitely stories that caught people's attention.

Month by month recaps, which we have done in the past, are long and tedious and less sometimes means more, so here are our top-five stories of the past year.

5: The New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII
The 2008 Super Bowl appealed to both the sports and gambling sectors for a number of reasons. On one hand, you had the New England Patriots, who were chasing an undefeated season, throughout the regular and postseason and on the other hand you had the 12.5-point underdog New York Giants, not only covering but defeating the Pats, ending their perfect dream.

A game that appealed to both bettors and the sports world indeed.

4: The UK opens its first problem gambling clinic
Rather than prevention of problem gambling by disallowing online gambling, or rather online gambling payments, the United Kingdom introduced a one-year pilot project that would aid problem gamblers through various treatments.

On top of a psychiatric evaluation, the National Health Services' Problem Gambling Clinic also provides outreach services for family and debt management counselling as well. Bravo NHS.

3: Antigua finally receives whitelist approval from United Kingdom
Antigua's online gambling industry (and Barbuda's) has always been under fire, it seems, especially with the seemingly neverending dispute with the U.S. concerning online gambling.

After being rejected initially, Antigua's online gambling sector got a major boost of credibility when the United Kingdom finally approved it for "whitelist" approval allowing it to advertise in the UK.

2: World Series of Poker announces a delay for final table
Every sport evolves—yes we consider poker a sport—and the World Series of Poker's main event went through such an evolution this year.

In previous tournaments, the main event would progress and culminate in final table play, with maybe a few days in between. This year, the main event would weed out players until the final nine and then pause for a three-month break.

Many pros were skeptical, but when all was said and done, the 2008 WSOP main event was a ratings hit with 46 percent more viewers tuning in on ESPN.

Like Daniel Negreanu told WinnerOnline.com about the event, "We filled the theatre with thousands of people to watch a live poker event, which would seem boring, but everyone showed up and I think it worked great because ratings were up [about] 50 percent over last year."

1: Online poker cheating scandal piece airs on 60 Minutes

Just like the National Hockey League, it seems like the only time online poker grabs headlines is when there is something negative to report.

Such was the case when 60 Minutes did a report on various online poker cheating scams that occured over the last few years.

We didn't like the negative exposure but in terms of big news events, this tops our list.