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There are a lot of important reasons to recognize the state of online gambling in the world. Similarly, it can consume you plenty of time and money, for you will have to do an exhaustive inquiry about the topic. Knowing the advantages will differ from reason to reason, because it relies on your main objective. It is capable, for instance, of updating you on the latest about gambling, but your country not included. It is also capable, depending on the country’s pro or con provisions, in updating you where you can run into more gamblers. It is essential for you to know what’s new about the online gambling world, if you are declaring yourself to be a real online gambler.

General View of the Online Gambling World

The UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act), which is currently perhaps the worst and most glaring issue, will catch your attention when viewing the online gambling world in general. The issue really only pertains directly to the US. On the other hand, this act extends its fangs as well to the international community. Basically, UIGEA makes hard the task of transferring money to gambling sites through certain banking options. It has been valid, even though in a very unclear and ineffective way, as of 2007.

What’s the result? The closing down of online gambling sites since the stock market investments’ drastic reduction, the prohibition of a large number of players (particularly in the US) to play in online gambling sites, and having lesser places to gamble in for players in various countries. The effect of UIGEA, is seemingly, far beyond of certain US players being banned on online gambling. The community has also been affected by it in general and several sites has ended.

Specifying the Online Gambling World

You are most likely wondering what’s going-on in some countries, after a having an idea of what exactly is going on in the online gambling world. To make matters clear, the UIGEA has not stopped US players from gambling online. Truly, persistent activity exists since several US states do not prohibit people from it.

To make up for the strict measures employed by countries like the US are places that even encourage and use it as a shooting point for its prosperity. These places include Barbuda and Antigua, both in Caribbean. Online gambling has been booming on both places, for a long time already. In fact, there are many online casinos that have been licensed in Caribbean. This is because of their breezy transactions and low taxes.

Online gambling is not prohibited in several other countries along with Antigua and Barbuda. The following countries which allow this form of gambling are South Korea, Germany, Australia, and several other countries. Maybe they know its inherent potential to enhance the welfare of their countries.

Future of Online Gambling

A lot of debates about the stability of the industry have been created. The proof, nevertheless, of what is real and true already emphasizes it. In spite of the few obstructions it is now undergoing, online gambling will surely prosper and thrive. Should it come out of these trials, it will be an even stronger and more lucrative industry.

In the United States, gambling statistics show that live and online gambling has generated as much as $91 billion per year (as of 2006). The industry is responsible for billions more in related tourist income as well as the economic benefit of hundreds of thousands of jobs. In some states, gambling through lotteries is even used to raise money for college scholarships or much-needed infrastructure projects.

When it comes to the gambling statistics related to what kinds of games Americans are playing, there might be some surprises. While commercial casinos still take in the largest share of legal gambling revenue (43% in 2000), and lotteries take second place (28% in 2000), online gambling is estimated to bring in an amount that is roughly equal to what is spent in Indian casinos each year. As the internet reaches more homes, so does online gambling. And unfortunately, so do some of the possible negative side effects.

People who oppose gambling in general believe that it brings higher crime rates to an area. Of course, this isn’t eligible for online gambling, unless you consider the possibility of your financial information being misused or hacked. But this risk isn’t any greater with online gambling than with online shopping or bill paying.

What is a concern is compulsive gambling. Some statistics on online gambling have shown that about ½ of 1% of the population may have a problem with compulsive gambling. True compulsive gambling means that the person cannot control their impulse to make the next bet, even when they are risking their job, home, health, or relationships. And United States gambling statistics show that people are twice as likely to become addicted to gambling when a casino is located within 50 miles of their home. With the advent of online casinos, there is no longer any true distance at all between a gambler and a casino, meaning more people have the potential to become addicted to their favorite online gambling game at a higher rate than to live gambling or playing the lottery. This has lead opponents of online gaming to call it the ‘crack cocaine’ of the gambling world.

This problem has a serious impact for those who suffer from it, with compulsive gambling statistics showing that as much as 48% of the members of Gamblers Anonymous have considered suicide. And of those, more than 10% report having made a suicide attempt.

Plus, some opponents fear that there is a great deal of opportunity for money laundering and organized crime via online casinos. Since the US doesn’t allow any of them to be located in the country, companies have set up shop in foreign countries with questionable, if any, regulations. Some fear that US online gamblers may be unknowingly contributing to criminal activity.

However, for the majority of us, compulsive gambling statistics don’t apply. Online gambling is just another way to enjoy the internet, and perhaps to even earn some extra spending money! If you are able to set a limit on the amount you spend and stick to it, and if you don’t endanger yours or your family’s financial well being with the limit you set, then chances are you will not become one of the negative gambling statistics. But if you do ever find that your online gambling affects your work, your family, your health, your finances, or your social life, then you may need to seek some professional help.