Online Gaming USA takes another hit

The status of Online Gaming USA has taken yet another hit as the US Congress try to reignite the online gambling issues with yet another attempt to place a federal ban on online gaming. If successful then the “Wire Act of 1961” which prohibits transmitting wagers (sports betting) could be expanded and include all forms of online gambling.
This is not a new consensus by the US congress. The issue of Online Gaming USA is something that raises its ugly head every now and then. This latest blast has come from Congressman Jason Chaffetz, who has sited the reasons behind his attack on Online Gaming USA being down to the fact that there is potential for online gaming sites to target underage gamblers.

In a statement recently he said that “online operators can not shield young people from wagering. "Technology alone can’t solve this problem. It’s so easy to bypass, even by a smart 14-year-old”. US Congressman Chaffetz is not alone as other US states are asking Congress to rethink and amend the Wire Act. FBI has jumped on this particular bandwagon, expressing concerns that online gambling is a potential haven for fraud and money laundering.

A problem that we don’t seem to be plagued with in Europe, so why can’t they look at the systems that we have in place here and regulate the same way that we do here, or the way they do in Las Vegas. The three key blockers that we have in place in the UK;

• Notary ID. If you register and play online, you need to have a notarised picture ID before you can cash out. In short, if you are under 18 then you have no chance of playing real money games. 
• Gamble aware. Every player online has the option to set gambling limits based on what they can afford to lose. The online operator send you a “heads-up” when you are close to that limit and stop you exceeding it. 
•  Point of Consumption tax. This is a tax on all UK players, regardless where your online gaming site is set up. If you have a registered UK player then you as a company pay tax on that player. Putting a stop to tax avoidance. 

If we have learnt anything from online gambling in Europe where it is legal, regulated and safe, then it’s that banning it only plays into the hands of black market sites. Making it illegal won’t stop Online Gaming USA, but it will stop well organised regulated gambling sites from providing proper services.

Editors note:
Shock horror that the US has lost the plot here. The fact that they actually own THE gaming mecca of all time seems to have past them by. Billionaire chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corp stated recently that “Web gambling is bad as a moral proposition and also a bad business path for casinos”. Yeh your casino’s!!

The fact that the Vegas have a vested interest in this and to an extent actually back this bid (other than their own online sites that is) should be a heads-up to any well-educated and sensible congressman that the issue isn’t under-age gamblers, or online fraud, but a potential loss of earnings from places like Las Vegas.