If you’ve got a fascination with the Matrix or the proverbial chicken and egg question, you’ll love this news: the online casino is set to meet the brick-and-mortar casino yet again with robots replacing real dealers in an effort to circumvent gambling laws.

New York’s first casino has ditched the dealer and cast aside the croupier in favour of computers and pixelated roulette wheels so the law that prohibits live casino games at race tracks doesn’t apply. Whilst state rules prevent human-operated table games, touch screens and immodestly-dressed cyber-women allow players to enjoy their games legally.

Ironic, no? Online casinos, borne from real casinos, brought in live casino functions where you can watch and interact with real dealers online to keep the human element. Now real casinos require online casino functions to operate legally. Ah, the cycle of life.

Meanwhile, online casinos appear to be going from strength to strength, with sites like 888 and 32Red Casino benefitting from the escalating use of smartphones, the prevalence of the internet and the increased propensity to stay at home. It seems only natural that the enormous takeup of electronics extend to the real world.

What do you think? Would you play at a land-based casino with electronic dealers?