The online gaming industry is experiencing huge economic growth, dominating vast sections of the virtual and real advertising. Billboards, magazines and even sports at sports events, the emblems and logos of popular sites can be seen. The world of online gaming and more particularly poker has encroached into popular culture everywhere.

This is not without good reason either, the online poker industry has become one of the largest and most profitable niche markets on the internet. Other than the gargantuan shops and auction sites the gambling sites of sports betting, casino games and poker have been one of the largest success stories of the Internet. Each has bought the sports and games closer to the largest audience in the world, and as such has perpetrated one of the largest Internet booms. Dragging the image of gambling from the dingy bookmakers, neon casinos and backroom tables to the interactive modern world of the Global Village.

Poker has been one of the biggest industries to have an extreme face-lift. Online companies have been searching new and exciting forums and formats for the game to be played in. The one criticism if there is one from traditional players of the game is the lack of eye contact, which for some is an important tactical component of the game. However despite this loss the online gaming version has imported new and exciting ways of gaining an edge, with chat rooms, editing tools and live chatting at the tables. Huge tournaments with even larger pots for the winners are a mainstay of the industry, whereas in the rather limited world of the standard game this would be almost impossible. Poker has been dragged into the 21st centuries and it's makeover has encouraged a whole new range of players to chance their hand and try out what is quickly becoming one of the most popular online activities.

Like any large industry the Poker Empire is constantly growing, with competitors constantly looking to get the upper hand. Similarly like other industries companies must advertise their whereabouts to potential customers, to hopefully lure them in. Poker rooms are offering huge cash bonuses, free games and various other bonuses to get the attention of the people and to outdo to offers of their competitors. The best way for these only agents to reach people is through the Internet. People browsing through the Internet are in a position to make quick decisions without a great deal of caution. This has given rise to one of the most profitable subsidiary businesses that of the poker affiliate. These affiliates are persons who own websites and allow advertising on their sites, generating commissions from the online poker rooms they promote.