Why Enforcement of Online Gambling Laws are Destined to Fail in the USA

The Lame Duck session in US political scene is coming to a close. Also coming to a close are the chances any major changes happening in US inline gambling laws. Hopes were high when Senator Harry Reid, quite unexpectedly, raised visions of the Bill getting a push through the session that would have seen online poker and gambling getting a legal stamp in the USA. But, in the end, the effort was not just enough. US online gambling scene will maintain status quo for some time now.

There are of course some who gave a sigh of relief at the failed efforts of Senator Reid. They are the biggest critics of the Bill and have been doing everything legally possible to scuttle the efforts to get it passed. Online gamblers would have been forced to remain out of action for a year and a half at sites that would have been keen to secure a gambling license.

Ever since the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was passed by the Congress in 2006, things have never been the same in US gambling scene. After President George W. Bush put his signature to this controversial Bill, online gamblers have to go in search of states that accept US players, their online credit card payments, and offer secure services. Many online gambling sites offer US gaming and gambling enthusiasts safe and secure environs to indulge in their interests. But the situation would have been much better has a legalized and Government-regulated online casino industry been in place by now. Players would have enjoyed more peaceful and hassle-free gaming environs than the stressful conditions and risks that they have to put up with now.

The online gambling industry seems to have accepted its fate for now but have still not given up their hopes for a future reconciliation with the US government. They are hopeful that the legislators and, more importantly, the pro-gambling legislation loyalists can somehow swing majority opinions at least next year and manage to get the much debated and discussed legislation passed in a form that is acceptable to all.

Those who are fervently opposing the online gaming legislation are completely missing the point if they believe that the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 is doing its intended job. The report clearly points out the fact that there has been an increase in the numbers of gamblers online in the USA since UIGEA was introduced. The law was put into place precisely to prevent such situations. It is clear by the developments seen over the past few years that online gamblers will find some resource or the other to indulge in their interests despite the best efforts to stop them legally. As it is, there are enough loopholes in the laws for them to exploit the situation to their advantage, as is evident from the post-UIGEA developments.

Those who oppose the legalization of online gambling in the USA perhaps fail to understand the huge potential of the gambling industry to reverse the fortunes of a failing US economy. The gambling industry can bring in millions of dollars of revenue for the federal government. This can make it easy for the Government to deal with huge budget deficits and deal with the needs of the citizens of the country in a better way.