Internet Gambling: Safe and Sound?

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In 2002, members of Congress asked the Government Accounting Office to take a close look at Internet gambling and the issues of regulation in the industry. The result was a detailed, 66-page report that, in some ways, has guided the thinking of government and industry leaders.

Basically, that report concluded that the laws and regulations applying to Internet gambling sites make up a rather complicated web. Federal, regional and state laws might apply to the same situation, not only in the U.S. and the U.K. but in many other nations as well. According to the GAO report, in the U.S. "The Wire Act, which prohibits gambling businesses from using interstate or international telecommunications wires to knowingly transmit or receive bets, is the main federal statute used to prosecute such activity. Foreign countries and jurisdictions have taken a variety of approaches to regulating on-line gaming, including legalizing some forms, seeking effective regulatory approaches, and prohibiting it entirely." Internet Gambling: An Overview of the Issues, December 2002.

Credit card companies have taken steps to limit or prohibit uses of cards for depositing funds in casino accounts. People in police agencies fear use of Internet gambling as a way to launder money for illegal activities such as drugs, illegal import/export and so on. Five years ago, the online gaming industry was a $4 billion business. Three years later, one study showed the number grew to more than $10 billion.

This financial success has drawn the attention of not only governments and regulatory agencies but also that of those within the industry. For example, eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA) is a non-profit group that works to set high standards for Internet gambling sites and online gambling. The philosophy of this organization is founded on fair play and protecting players, as well as making sure that casino operators are reliable and fair. The group oversees software for gaming, along with deposit and withdrawal plans. Along with credible casino guides and casino reviews, eCOGRA also tries to keep players informed about the best sites for online gambling, based on quality and security. Two key elements of eCOGRA are the independent directors who oversee operations and the availability of an advocate for those with concerns or questions.

Approved software providers on the eCOGRA site are:

Players are advised to visit the eCOGRA Web site for an extensive list of approved "portals" and playing sites.

Many players and Internet gambling sites focus on the licensing and approval that comes from such groups as the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake appoints three members to supervise gaming in the Kahnawake territory and activities that are operated "from" that territory. Basic principles include: making sure only reliable people operate in this jurisdiction; gaming is fair; winners are paid. The Kahnawake logo must be displayed on sites that have approval.

Ten years ago a professional engineer established another entity that focuses on fair gaming. The Safe Game System (SGS) is a trademarked, patented operation to help solve gaming issues, distribute information about fair gaming and prevent future problems. The system has representatives in Europe, Canada and the United States.

While some legal experts maintain that there is no specific federal law that prevents online gambling, those in Washington often rely on the Wire Act mentioned earlier to prohibit the activity. Yet there is disagreement even among those in the federal judiciary. States have, by tradition, regulated gambling in conjunction with, or separate from, federal law. (The best path would be for players to gather as much information as they can in their own state.) However, here are some dates/issues to learn more about:

The key to most laws and regulations is this: If you are not in the business of Internet gambling, and are a recreational player, the rules do not specifically prohibit participation. Betting on sports and disobeying state laws might cause some problems, however. The key is to find a safe and reliable way to deposit money, through one of the services on a trusted site.

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