Is Implementing the Online Gambling Prohibition in the US an Impossible Task?

All the recent hoopla about online gambling regulations in the U.S. and the necessity for such rules has inadvertently brought the spotlight to another question. Is it really possible to implement a 100% prohibition on online gambling in the U.S.? The industry is vast, offenders difficult to trace and the offense difficult to pin down. The recent crackdown on Bodog.com has only served to lend more power to the anti- prohibition protestors. After all, players did make a $100 million winning from this site before it was forced to down shutters.

Is the Ban a Failure?

According to Larry Reid, Senate Majority Leader, the ban on online gambling that was brought into effect a while back in 2006 is definitely a failure. He is not alone. There are many other state and ‘fed’ level politicians who also believe that this regulation is not just unsuccessful but unnecessary as well. It is an open secret that online gambling continues to exist in the American markets.

It is just not advertised in the same way as these businesses do in the U.K. or Ireland or elsewhere where internet gambling is legal. In fact, there are several loopholes in the legislation that allow the law to be construed in different ways making it possible for players to play and earn money while gaming at online casinos beyond the U.S. borders.

Why is Implementing Prohibition a Challenge?

To politicians like Reid, prohibiting online gambling is an exercise in futility. They and many of the top industry players, feel that there are simply too many obstacles that the government will have to face if it does intend to take a hard line stance in making online gambling a ‘criminal activity’. The fact that the segment of the American public that enthusiastically participates in these games will raise a hue and cry is not the only deterrent.

Round the clock surveillance will be required to spot such ‘illegal’ activity. In addition, locating the offenders, investigating without prejudice and prosecuting them will all pose considerable problems owing to the complexity of the ‘criminal act’ and its virtual location. What is to prevent an online operator from starting afresh from another virtual location when one is closed down and what prevents players from flocking to that new destination?

The Lure of Money is Difficult to Overcome

The lure of money is a most difficult thing to overcome. Online players not only enjoy playing their favorite game right from the comfort of their home but also use their gaming time as a way to interact with like minded others. The fact that they can actually earn big money from internet gambling makes this an irresistible pastime for millions across the world.

Legitimizing Gambling Can Actually Optimize Use of Resources.

In fact, anti prohibitionists point out that legitimizing online gambling is an excellent way to ensure that these virtual resources are used within the legal framework and in a way that players, service providers and the industry can benefit from it.

Given all these arguments for legalizing online gaming and the ongoing attempt in California to make internet gambling legal, there is hope that a major policy change easing the current constraints will occur in the U.S.

Other Benefits of Legalizing Online Gambling

By allowing online operators to offer legal gambling, the U.S. government will ensure that players can continue to enjoy their games in highly regulated and competitive market. The competition will force various providers to adhere to high standards and the regulation will protect the players who have grievances regarding providers. This will be the ideal environment in which both players and providers can make the best of various kinds of online gaming.

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