Katy Morris

    Gambling is popular with people in most societies worldwide and has enthralled humans for hundreds of years. This statement is supported by numerous archaeological discoveries and historical journals. It is logical to assume that gambling would achieve a foothold in the new society on the internet.

    One of the latest internet trends is, in deed, gambling. This is prevalent in areas like virtual casinos, virtual bookies, and internet lotteries. Currently, companies are using fake money because they are still perfecting their systems or attempting to bypass certain laws. The use of real money is the next step and has already been implemented in a few places.

    Gambling on the internet will use various forms of real money. One idea is using credit cards. Another idea is a billing system where the player sets up an account by sending a check to the casino or virtual bookie. The virtual cash you would use to play would be backed by your previous deposit. One site that has already implemented a real money system is Virtual Vegas (http://www.virtualvegas.com). To use this system, you must purchase software and hardware and you are billed externally.

    The reason most companies do not use real money is because of the laws in the United States. Therefore, to run a legal business, using real money, you must locate offshore where there are no regulations. Currently, one of the most popular locations is the Caribbean.

    Congress and state lawmakers have been seriously examining the practices of internet gambling sites. One of the most obvious concerns is the protection of consumers. Who controls these sites? Are they fair? When you log on to one of these sites, you cannot answer these questions. Lawmakers are even more concerned with the impact this will have on real casinos and tax revenues. If people turn to their computers to gamble, these areas will be impacted greatly.

    The Internet Gambling Prohibition Act (IGPA), introduced to the US Senate by Representatives Bob Goodlatte and Frank LoBiondo, is one solution to the concerns with internet gambling. This law centers around the fact that gambling is illegal unless it is state regulated. The IGPA takes all concerns into consideration. Under this law, state legislatures decide if they will allow gambling.

    The penalties incurred by breaking this law, if it is passed, are severe. If you are convicted of running an unauthorized gambling site, you are faced with fines and up to four years in prison. The people that place bets with the virtual gambling sites will be penalized with fines and up to 6 months in prison. Authorities would have the right to block access to these gambling sites.

    I believe gambling addiction is a serious disease, similar to alcoholism or drug addictions, and can ruin your life. It can leaves you poor and destitute. This view is held by many people and most states choose not to legalize gambling except on Indian reservations. In fact, the only two states where casinos are legal are Nevada and New Jersey.

    However, as with most things, there is much more to the issue. We are dealing, once again, with the freedom of speech. People should have the right to choose whether they want to spend their money gambling or not. People will find a way to gamble whether it is legal or not.

    I have no clear opinion about gambling and have tried to provide information from both sides. On one hand I believe that gambling is fun. Unfortunately, some people become addicted (which is easy to do) and lawmakers must take into account the protection of the citizens. I also believe that gambling is wrong. The money spent by gambling could be better used elsewhere and it is inherently wrong to receive something for nothing.