There are many issues concerning Internet gambling which are controversial today. This page touches on only a few of the political and social implications of the emerging online gambling industry and the ability of the existing legal framework both in the US and internationally to halt the industry's development.
The fact that gambling is now more broadly available via networks produces heightened crime, increased compulsive gambling, amongst other issues.
Despite all this, International as well as U.S. state and federal laws have so far dealt inadequately with the ever growing size of the virtual gaming industry. Individual states and countries are mostly unable to prosecute out of state/country casino operations which function technically in 'cyberspace' - an intangible no-man's land where there are no clear and visible borders. Although a state or country may be able to prosecute it's own citizens for gambling on the Internet, enforcement will just not be simple. Though criminalization abounds of cyberspace casinos and their partner advertisers and promoters, it remained almost impossible to prosecute foreign online casino operators until recently.
The USA/America Take on Internet Gambling
The Unites States seems to have an additional concern. This amounts to the fact that Internet gambling is apparently extracting income from legalized Indian gaming states where gambling on land is legal. The loss of potential customers to the 'Virtual Internet' is obviously a concern since it proves to be uncontrollable. However, the country fails to realize or refuses to admit that many Indian gaming facilities within the United States do also own a virtual casino by the same name at which online bettors spend their money. So what is the issue here really? Is it that the Indian casinos may operate online versions of their land based casinos and others cannot? It may do well for the federation of states to consider this point.
Internet Gambling a Low Priority for the US
Though the U.S. Department of Justice has officially stated that Internet gambling is illegal, unofficially it is not apparently not so sure. This very department has also stated that it considers Internet gambling a low priority.
Despite having expressed the priority issue,the US Congress seems to be working very hard in trying to establish a commission for the study of gambling. It is also considering a bill that would render Internet gambling illegal for all American citizens. In the course of this action, state attorney generals have also published opinion letters on Internet gaming or have begun to prosecute online fraud.
It has become obvious though, that the various issues surrounding the
illegalization
of Internet gambling are highly complex not only in the US but also worldwide and will probably not be resolved in the near future.
Gambling Debts for Online Players
Online gambling debts are generally not enforceable in the U.S. and in many other countries. For this reason, online casino players are generally required to forward cash to an offshore account or take a cash advance on their credit cards before they are able to play. This practice limits the degree to which Internet gamblers can accumulate gambling debts online.
Problem Gambling
The National Council on Problem Gambling has defined problem gambling as "(Problem gambling) is gambling behavior which causes disruptions in any major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational. The term "Problem Gambling" includes, but is not limited to, the condition known as "Pathological", or "Compulsive" Gambling, a progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, "chasing" losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences."
A very apt descrition, gambling has with no doubt caused many varied problems in the lives of those who are unable to control their need to gamble. In many cases, precipitating factors for 'problem gambling' are job related stress and job loss. Generally, the behavioral patterns compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits. There is an increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, and a general loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences. In extreme cases, problem gambling can result in financial ruin, legal problems, loss of career and family, or even suicide. The existence of land and online casinos cannot be blamed just as one cannot blame a liquor store for making a person alcoholic. There is an underlying character weakness, or as previously mentioned, negative external circumstances which bring about the habit of problem gambling.
.jpg)
