Editorial: Time to regulate Internet gambling -

Antigua and Barbuda, a tiny twin-island nation of 80,000 people in the Caribbean, is the mouse that roared on Internet gambling.

[Ban Everything]

It is not logical for a government in the business of gambling to make gambling illegal.

The companies being set up overseas exist only due to the illogical thought process gripping America these days.

[Curious]

I was under the impression that the Internet cash games were banned in the U.S....is that true or are the offshore sites still accessible?

[Seer]

If internet gambling is legalized the US is faced with a couple of problems:

How will sports betting be handled? The US made a big stink about 10yrs ago regarding sports betting, a state needed to legalize sports betting by a certain date or else it is permanently illegal in that state. NJ struggled with the choice of never having a sports book in AC and losing professional sports teams. Sports betting is illegal in 49 out of 50 states and you can't use the internet to book sports bets in Vegas.

What happens in states that don't allow casino gambling? There will be a casino in every home, will all states legalize gambling and allow casinos to be built to capture a larger share of the tax revenues?

What happens to the Native American casinos that have monoploies in states like NY where casino gambling is illegal?

Personally I think the US needs to join the rest of the world and legalize casino and sports gambling in all 50 states but between the economic and political problems created and the influence of the moral majority there is one sure bet - this situation will be massively mishandled.

[OldBookGuy]

Not only is the integrity of the U.S. at stake in this.

Currently the U S is planning on negotiating with the member countries to open up ‘closed’ trading sectors as a trade off and the EU alone wants some 15 BILLION in additional trade concession.

And then there is Canada, Japan, India, Australia and others we have to settle with, ALL in addition to Antigua to withdraw from that section.

If you hear a ‘WHOOSH’ that will be MORE American jobs going overseas as closed markets open AND more tax breaks to companies trying to save those jobs AND less taxes paid and…….

OK Mr. Senator and Congressman, please, how are you going to tell the poor family that just lost their job, well, YOU wanted me to ban Internet Gambling, sorry you lost your job and house, but you wanted this.

BTW, remember to vote for ME in 2008!

[A Poker Player]

Curious wrote:

I was under the impression that the Internet cash games were banned in the U.S....is that true or are the offshore sites still accessible?

Actually what was ATTEMPTED to be banned was the processing and accepting of payments. NOTHING prevents you, the American Citizen from playing.

NOTE: This is not legal advice, only an opinion, consult your own attorney.

[Legispublius]

And everything for nothing. People will send checks, money orders, buy phone cards, exchange money on paypal, or open foreign bank accounts to gamble online. It's popular, its huge, and its not going away. Why trade 10k jobs ot China and the EU jsut to appease fascists like James Dobson or big Republican donors like Harrah's? Those are the two forces pushing the fight to ban this.

[Dave]

I bet on sports everyday online.It is honest and I do get paid.Just legalize it and collect your taxes Uncle Sam.

[Blockhead]

Ancient Puritan ideals of the US need to buried so that we can coexist with other civilzed countries.

[Bwehrm]

It is amazing how multi faceted an issue this is but to me it comes down to fundamental 1st Amendment rights. Should I be allowed to make a wager or play poker from my own home on my own computer? Is it my neighbors business? The governments? No it is not. It is time we allow people in this country to make their own decisions without the religious right or the government happy left imposing their warped sense of morality onto the rest of us.

[Chrisptp]

Everything seer said would be valid EXCEPT for the fact that, regulation or no, online gaming will most likely continue to be available in every American's home.

In the face of this fact, the US government is left with a situation similar to the one faced by media companies during the advent of file sharing - you can attempt to prohibit, but you'll waste time and resources doing so in a failed effort that will eventually come around to acceptance and regulation anyhow. Might as well be efficient about it

[Uglyowl]

Every industry is starting to go "online" since it is cheaper and more convenient. Internet gambling, including poker should be no different. Politicians who argue it is "immoral" are crazy as you can gamble in all, but one or two states.

[Bill F]

It is about time I see a reputable newspaper post an unbiased editorial about how hypocritical the US government is being towards internet gambling. They try to ban online casinos and poker saying gambling is bad, but allow horse racing and lotteries because the govt makes money from them.

As an American, i dont want the government telling me how i can spend my money. I like to play poker online and should be able to hassle-free

I have no problem with the US trying to regulate it and offer alternatives to overseas internet gambling. Rumors that Harrahs and Wynn want to set up online sites is good.

Clinton agreed to the WTO saying we would allow free trade in internet gambling. If we made all online gambling illegal, including fantasy sports and horse racing, then our anti gambling laws would be in compliance. But to allow us to gamble on US sites (such as NYRA for racing or nylottery.org for lotteries) but from international sites is a direct breach of the agreement

We are the USA. We are supposed to keep our word. We are suppose to allow our citizens freedom

[Bob]

Effing. Authoritarian. Nanny. Get out of my bedroom, get out of my greenhouse and keep your hands out of my wallet.

[Professor Veritas]

Why and with what justification would ANYONE want to approve of the government telling you what you can and cannot do with your AFTER-TAX money?

The only reason the government is sticking it's nose into Internet gambling is because they haven't yet figured out a way to get their slice.

Money and power, power and money: It's the *****ONLY***** thing a U.S. politician gives a damn about.

And as for gambling being "immoral," I notice you don't hear too many politicians trying to ban state and multi-state lotteries. Why? Because they get their cut.

And if you want to go to the absolute seat of hypocrisy, how about banning churches from hosting Bingo?

Amazing how so many things seem to be "immoral" ... right up until the moment that some scumbag politician is caught doing it.

[Seer]

Bill, I too get irritated when I think about NY's (almost any state) gambling policy. The state runs various types of lottery games, slot machines and horse racing betting (some available over the internet) but I can't bet on the Mets, go play poker at the local club or play any other casino games. I think the policy on poker is the most outrageous - you can play poker anywhere, for any amount as long as there is no reveues generated as a result of the game. For instance, you can not play in a restauraunt because if I but a beer then the restaurant is breaking the law. I can play in my home as long as I don't hire a dealer to deal for my party. I have to drive 2.5 hrs, play in underground card rooms, or play on the internet (after I mail my check overseas) if I can't get enough players at home.

[Lester Byrd]

The Americans should just legalize internet gambling.

Then just let the Trumps and the Harrahs of the world stomp out corrupt little lice like Antigua.

No big deal.

[THE1JACK]

I believe in the freedom of expression, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The US politicals are all too familiar with self infected wounds. Here there lose taxes. Yes, screen out minors and inact controls that are equitable for both the consumer/player and the cyber-casino.

[Blockhead]

Imagine how nice it would be to go to your neighborhood casino to sit down at a card table with a bunch of friends, have a beer and lay a bet on that night's Yankee game. You can do it in Vegas, you can do it in Europe, you can do it Asia and Australia, but not in NY, Atlantic City or Foxwoods. The US congress needs to get in touch with it's citizens and get things reconciled in the vice area of our country to better protect our citizens and our financial resources.

[visitorfromovers eas]

An effectively regulated legal gambling business is so much better, than an underground online scene, where you're money could be lost even though you have won...... if the US government only wants (as it claims) to protect its citizens, it should give them a safe and supervised possibility, so they don't feel compelled to try out dubious online-offers

[Jon]

Nobody in their right mind wants complete regulation of gambling, but what it is sensible to demand is that punters are able to cross borders the same way as anybody else can make use of services from other countries. This would NOT require deregulation - indeed, it could be easier to regulate on a supranational level - but WOULD bring the benefits of the free market into what should be a perfectly legal, but managed, industry. See www.right2bet.net for a petition on this.