Internet Gambling
Internet gambling becomes a serious problem not only in the United States, but in many other European countries as more and more people become involved in playing on-line. At the end of September internet gambling was criminalized by ‘outlawing credit-card payments to the services’. (Sullivan, 2007) Internet gambling is booming in the world and last summer American statistics showed that gamblers accounted for half of the industry’s revenue. However, why is internet gambling is such a problem? Researchers argue that internet gambling, similar to casinos, leads to psychological problems as, for example, depressions, nervous break-downs, irritability, etc. moreover, people who are obsessed with internet gambling are more likely to become pathological gamblers. According to surveys, more than 75% of online gamblers are pathological and problem gamblers. (Brunker, 2006) Actually, gambling similar to alcohol and drugs is addiction that ‘frays the fabric of society’. (Sullivan, 2007)
The government tries to use legal and technical measures to fight internet gambling, but mostly, these measures fail to be effective and the number of internet gamblers is hardly decreasing. One technical measure suggests that internet gamblers won’t undergo prosecution; instead, their credit cards will be blocked when transferring money to gambling sites. Or when sending a check in, fines will be imposed. Unluckily, the law doesn’t ban internet gambling and, therefore, it is difficult to fight it. Nevertheless, the experts say that the Federal Reserve won’t force banks to screen personal checks and other payment methods. (Sullivan, 2007) Since 1995 the Congress has been trying to ban Internet gambling. I don’t think that efforts will be successful as the government meets strong opposition – state lotteries, dog tracks, etc. – that believes that their activities will be hampered in case of internet gambling. (Sullivan, 2007)
References
Brunker, Mike. (2006, October 17). Will Ban End Internet Gambling? Don’t Bet on It. Retrieved October 8, 2008, from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15240569
Sullivan, Andy. (2007, January). New Law Won’t Stop Internet Gambling New and Trends, retrieved October 8, 2008, from http://www.pcworld.com
