17
Dec
Author: Chris // Category:
Casino Games
Gambling is a controversial topic. Now that the obvious has been stated, let is go one step further and say that online gambling is a very controversial topic. A great number of problem areas present themselves when discussing the topic. How is it to be regulated? How do we police underage gambling? How do we identify and help problem and compulsive gamblers? How do we protect the consumer? How do we protect the casino? How can we thoughtfully tax the industry? How do we police and monitor an un-policeable venue? These questions and many, many more have been vigorously debated in the United States Congress for the past few years.
Currently under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) internet gambling sites are prohibited within the United States. The country seems to be split as to whether or not this is the best way to deal with the issue. Chairman of the House Committee of Financial Services, which is overseeing the debate, Barney Frank of Massachusetts, stated, “The notion that this Congress should tell millions of adult Americans that we know better than they what they should with their own money on their own time on their own computer seems to me to be a very grave error.” Many Americans agree with him and see the UIGEA as the same kind of arcane legislation that supported the ban of alcohol over 80 years ago.
For the time online internet gambling will be as debated as any other topic on Capitol Hill. It may not get the press coverage that a topic such as health care does, but it may generate as much ill will across the congressional aisle.
Testimonies have been given by industry experts that show that thoughtful regulation would be more of an enforceable solution than an outright ban. Of course there are detractors of legalizing online gambling. Conservative, lawmakers who are watching after the moral fiber of the nation see it as a vice that is detrimental to the health of the country. This is a topic that perplexes Representative Frank. He doesn’t understand how the party that advocates less government involvement in the personal lives of its citizens can act to dissuade them of their free will.
Tags: casino, gambling, online
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