There has been much talk recently over the increasing oil prices in the US and its affect on the online and offline casino industry. To date, many have shown enthusiasm that increased travel expenses due to the rise in gas prices will deter casino-goers from traveling to their favorite destinations, and result in a larger audience for the online casinos. And indeed, with the cost of oil reaching yet another sky high record - $133 per barrel – even market analysts are now saying that online casinos will be the ones to benefit from the situation.

An Additional reason behind the expected rush to online casinos rather than land-based in America, is due to the fact that increased oil prices are also likely to affect the cost of many goods within the country, including those luxuries often taken for granted at casino hotels. Analysts have short listed those companies they believe will benefit from the rise, including several internet based services such as NetFlix, yet due to the still illegal nature of gambling at online casinos in the US, online casinos as such have not been mentioned. The sense in such belief, however, is obvious.

Eve the offline casinos themselves are turning up the heat against competing online casinos, offering free casino money, bonuses, discounted hotel suites and free game play. Among them are Golden Casino and the River Belle. This can arguably be considered a desperate move, when online casinos are not even affected by increasing and decreasing prices of commodities.