Should Online Gambling Be Permitted?
Online Gambling Be Permitted
The first question that comes to mind is whether online gambling should be legalized in the United States. The United States has been slow to respond to the online gambling phenomenon. When it first began, there were no legal guidelines regulating the activity, so players from the US could access such sites easily. Then, in 2006, the Safe Ports Act was passed, making it illegal for US banks to allow their customers to send money to gambling sites overseas.
Although legalization is still far from a given, the debate is likely to continue. While some states have already made Internet gambling legal, others are debating whether to do so. In the United States, online gambling is legal in nine states, and it won’t revolutionize the culture; it will simply be the natural extension of current technological and social trends. It may not be the ideal solution for everyone, but the legalization of online gambling will certainly be welcomed by many.
In the 1990s, the online gambling industry was booming. Some observers viewed it as an end run around government regulation. Since online gambling operators could set up shop in an offshore jurisdiction, anyone could access these sites with a computer and a credit card. In the subsequent years, both the Department of Justice and Congress began exploring ways to regulate the online gambling industry. However, these discussions have so far failed to produce a clear policy on online gambling in the U.S.
Should Online Gambling Be Permitted?
Many people enjoy wagering money on games, but they don’t live near a casino or other venue. These people may not have the time or resources to visit a casino, so online gambling offers a convenient and affordable option for them. The Federal Government recently shut down three of the largest internet poker sites, but it has taken action against other online gambling websites in the past. It is vital to make sure that online gambling is legal in the U.S.
Many critics of real-world casinos claim that it lures consumers into drab windowless caverns, with free flowing alcohol and other distractions. However, the same criticism is untrue when it comes to internet gambling. While internet gambling does have its drawbacks, it is far less harmful than its real-world counterpart. The social aspects of online gaming are undisputed, and they help in the overall psychological health of the consumer.
While online betting is legal in some countries, many states have yet to take the initiative and legalize it. Some states, such as New Jersey and Nevada, have started the process of allowing internet casino businesses. Several more states are following suit. While there is still no universal legal framework for online gambling, the trend is increasing. The first steps to legalizing online gambling in the US were taken in the middle of 2013 with Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware launching online poker sites in 2013.