Prospects of Comprehensive Study
of Online Gambling are RisingIf the
United States cannot pass definitive legislation on
its stance regarding online gambling, a bill that
would facilitate an expansive study of the industry
is likely to be introduced. Since internet
betting brings in over $12 Billion per year from
U.S. online gamblers, the study could prove to be
propitious event for the industry at large.
What this entails is that the U.S. government would
be showing a willingness to embrace the industry,
rather than trying to shoot it down, which it has
already unsuccessfully tried to do in two previous
attempts.
Twice did the US House of Representatives pass a bill that would make online
gambling illegal for U.S. citizens, and twice was the bill stopped by the US
Senate. The issue is quite touchy for online gambling is a worldwide
industry, and there is no preventing US citizens from gambling at online casinos
with offshore servers that are willing to take deposits that do not come
directly from US credit card companies (which the government already banned).
Mixing things up even more is the case of Antigua and Barbuda, who filed a
complaint against the US, claiming the US government had drastically interfered
in online betting activities, which discouraged business in the Caribbean
island. The World Trade Organization has ruled in favor of Antigua and
Barbuda, while the US has done nothing to address the ruling.
The online casino industry is fast becoming an accepted industry with the
passing of the UK Gambling Bill, as well as numerous giant companies beginning
to flotate, like multi-billion PartyGaming.com who recently posted shares on the
London Stock Exchange.
Now, if the US is unsuccessful in what many say is its last attempt to ban
online gambling, a comprehensive study is likely to occur through another bill
being drawn up which would fully consider the pros and cons of internet betting
for the American economy and way of life.
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