Today the British government said it plans to lift restrictions on the gambling industry, opening the door to Las Vegas-style casino entertainment and licensed online gambling, on the internet or interactive TV.

"The announcement today is a major step forward for online gambling," said Tobin Price, CEO of Sunonline. Sunonline operates CasinoAtlantis.com, which is licensed in the Isle of Man.

"It is most encouraging that the UK government has recognised the legitimate role that well-regulated online gambling can play in the over-all gambling industry."

Price added that the focus on player protection, operator probity and socially responsible operating policies are sure to be welcomed by online gamblers.

Releasing the Gambling White Paper, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said: "The modernisation of our gambling laws is long overdue.... [We] want to see a successful British gambling industry; one that is able to respond rapidly and effectively to technological and customer-led developments in both the domestic and global marketplace, building on its existing reputation for quality and integrity, and in the process increasing its already important contribution to the UK economy."

The plans are in line with proposals made by the U.K. Gambling Review Body last year. The body was set up in 1999 to help companies compete with the National Lottery and overseas and Internet-based rivals that offer tax-free bets.

"We're going to see the U.K. stealing a march on the rest of the world in this industry, particularly in the area of online gaming and sports betting," said Tony Wollenberg, senior partner at law firm Steptoe & Johnson Rakison in London, which represents gambling companies including Playboy-branded online sites.