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Wikipedia describes Online Gambling to encompass activities such as poker, casinos, online betting and fund transfers. It is perceived that problems faced with traditional gambling are being heightened due to the accessibility of the internet and its users.
With the anonymity afforded to a user of the internet, online gambling is open to all, and unknowingly to youths. Online registrations to gamble are restricted by age, yet youths are finding ways to sidetep this. One form of doing so is using a parents' debit/credit card. Studies have also shown that youths have a high usage and access rate to the Internet, The National Gambling Impact Study(1999) found that youths use the Internet as a means of enterainment. With a high rate of usage and familiarity with the internet, these youths are more likely to find online gambling to be appealing.
Pathological Gambling is depicted as the "persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior which may involve at least five of these behaviours; preoccupation, tolerance, withdrawal, escape, chasing, lying, loss of control, illegal acts, risked significant relationship and bailout" (Wikipedia, 2005).
The National Gambling Impact Study(1999) found that the accessible nature of the Internet, allows gamblers instant gratification, quickly and easily, which may enhance pre-existing problem and pathological gambling. The study also found that gambling in the privacy of ones own home, not only allows the user to visit as many gambling sites he/she wishes, the gambler is also relatively guilt free, as they are free from scrutiny by others.
The National Gambling Impact Study(1999) identifies that illegal uses of online gambling not only encompasses users, but hackers and gambling operators as well.
Many gambling sites are run by internet service providers which are based offshore, because of this, there is concern over unethical behaviour occurring through gambling operators. Gambling operators have the power to move, alter and remove gambling sites easily. Thus the opportunity to access a gamblers' funds and credit/debit card details, and then moving or removing the gambling website all together is a possibility. Dishonest operators and hackers also have the opportunity to alter the gambling software itself to their advantage. The offshore aspects of these websites also heightens problems of money laundering, especially with anonymity and encryption of software afforded to users.
Many problems associated with online gambling lies in the anonymity of the user and the lack of uniformity of regulation. Where online gambling is legal in the United States, in Austalia it isnt. The Australian Government has imposed the Interactive Gambling Act 2001. This Act, enforced as a means to "prevent the harmful effects of gambling in the Australian community" (The Australian Government: DCITA, 2005), is relevant to gambling providers rather than consumers, stating that it is an offence for providers to provide interactive gambling services to a customer physically present in Australia.
Although Australia has put in place regulations, the problems associated with online gambling needs to be addressed on a global scale. To make regulations co-exist among countries would assist in eradicating some of these problems.
DCITA, A. G. (2005). Online Gambling. Retrieved October 10, 2005, from http://www.dcita.gov.au/broad/online_content_and_gambling_regulation/online_gambling
National Gambling Impact Study Commission Final Report: Chapter 5: 'Internet Gambling'. (1999). Retrieved October 10, 2005, from http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/ngisc/reports/5.pdf
Wikipedia. (2005a). Online Gambling. Retrieved October 10, 2005, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_gambling
Wikipedia. (2005b). Problem Gambling. Retrieved October 10, 2005, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_gambling
