The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has predicted that it is a sure-fire bet that the idea of gambling on mobile phones will take off.

Brian Wright is director of business at the RGA, which provides the industry with a single voice on all the burning issues relating to remote gambling (placing bets on the internet or on mobile phones).

Mr Wright is heartened that technology has recently become available which means that more mobile phones have quicker internet access.

Increased connection speeds are more likely to satisfy online betters.

He said: "They could place their bet as quickly on mobiles as they could on the internet or just by telephone so the technology is there and it's likely to be the next growth area."

The expert pointed out that there are currently only so many people who are willing to venture into places like bookmakers and bingo halls to have a punt.

He believes that in the future the increasing popularity of remote gambling will see bookies' shops closing down and bingo callers having to hang up their bow ties and collect their P45s.

Mr Wright also thinks that mobile gambling could see more women placing bets as betting shops can sometimes be intimidating places to visit.

He commented: "With online betting sites all the information is there for you. It tells you how to place a bet, instead of having to ask someone, you can click on all the rules and they are all there."

According to the October 2008 Gambling Commission report 'Remote Gambling Participation', almost one in ten UK adults (9.3 per cent) said they had participated in at least one form of remote gambling (through a computer, mobile phone or interactive/digital TV) in the month gone by.

People participating in remote gambling were more likely to be men than women, and were often to be found in the aged 18-44 category.