Online Gambling

Who are we?


Team Name:  The Flop 

Team Members: Blake Gozda, Emily Catherine Bridger, Austin Hanna

Technology
Technology: Online Gambling

Issue: The Legalization of Online Gambling

Initial Project Statement


The Internet has become a universal tool of exploration that is commonly used among all ages. Today's youth are born into a technologically advanced world and can be exposed to all aspects of the internet very easily. Therefore, until the Internet officially legalizes online gambling many issues will prevail. Some issues include underage access, increased addiction, and escalating fraudulent activities. Legitimacy will result in increased security by enforcing personal identification and legal conduct. Even though some websites have preventative age restrictions, the Internet is intangible and access is possible for everyone. We will be taking a look at the pros and cons as well as the possible solutions for online gambling. We will discuss safety issues and discover the dangers behind this increasingly popular online activity. Our project is based on secondary research. We have extensive experience and numerous ideas taken from Online Gambling sites such as Partypoker.com and those listed below.

= Argument = In today’s society the popularity of internet gaming is increasing, leading to the growth of online gambling. Online gambling has many pros and cons, some of which lead many individuals to believe that online gambling can aid our society to gamble more conveniently, even from the comfort of our own homes and most importantly without any social pressure. On the other hand, online gambling can lead to many complications such as cheating and the issue of underage gambling. As the majority of these sites are created illegally, and in order for the online gaming community to gain legal status there must be a form of laws enforced by a governing body. In addition to having code of conduct enforced, online gambling sites must have an agreement with leading banks and credit card companies in order to prove legitimacy when buying into the online games. We “The Flop” firmly believe that if the online gaming community were to be governed correctly it would be a venture that should be legalized.

The Pros of Online Gambling
There are numerous benefits of Online Gambling. Many of these benefits are for the companies which have established themselves as safe and fun sites.



Easy to Access:

One major reason many people are turning to the computer for their gambling and not casinos is for time saving and simplicity. Whether you are at work, home, or on your laptop somewhere these gambling websites are abundant and draw attention from a large crowd of Internet surfers.

Women:

Many sites these days advertise through Multimedia channels reaching a wide variety of potential users. This virtual world of gambling has welcomed massive numbers of people who normally do not visit the casinos. Women are the major untapped market of users who find the online gambling world a much less intimidating place. “This anonymity leads to an enhanced feeling of comfort and control, which can provide the user with a greater sense of perceived control over the experience.” Just like the PokerStars.net commercial encourages women to “find the poker star in you.” When it is just you and your computer there are numerous social pressures that disappear and more people will be drawn to gambling as a favourite pass-time.

Early Training for Adolescence:

Minors are often able to gamble through these sites without many barriers. They can access any account that someone of age has set up, or by easily accepting the terms and conditions, which state that they must be legal adults. Absence of “real” Cash:

Banking companies in the United States have now been denying credit card access to all gambling sites to reduce the amount of money Americans waste playing online. Electronic cash diminishes the awful feeling of loosing money. Therefore “people typically spend more on credit and debit cards because it is easier to spend money using plastic.”

Large Profits:

The Internet has become a very entertaining and time consuming device that is swamped with thriving virtual casinos. So, regardless of whether you are a beginner, experienced, underage, female, or based internationally, these businesses are bringing you in, experiencing major traffic and therefore major profits. “Over the coming 5 years, mobile gambling will see a marked rise in popularity among mobile users worldwide, with Asia-pacific and Europe contributing more than 75% of mobile gambling expenditure between them.” Technology has helped us in many ways. The Internet is a great machine through which almost anyone can now gamble whenever and where ever they choose.

Cons of Online Gambling
Addiction:

As players use simple methods of betting money in order to take part in various online gambling games, one may not notice the reality of the situation and how it is in fact real money out of their own pockets that is being used. The speed at which a person can play from game to game leaves little time to even consider the amount of money that is being utilized which can easily be re-gambled almost instantaneously. This activity is generally very private which creates a solitary atmosphere with which gamblers may remain in a false sense of reality for long periods of time and this can be a major contributor to addiction.

Illegal Activities:

When participating in online gambling there are serious risks that can involve criminal activity in fact being funded by the money a person wagers on the Internet. Money Laundering and fraud crimes are relevant and can be generated by wagered funds. It may be difficult to find the criminals behind these activities which create a dangerous territory linked with Internet Gambling. Below is a link that reports cash laundering in online gambling. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article620834.ece

Social Interaction:

Obviously there is no way to tell who your opponents really are when taking part in Internet Gambling. In fact, you could actually be playing the same person that has control over four different accounts which creates terrible odds of winning for yourself. Since there is no way to tell it is much safer and also healthier to participate in the real world with real people because social interaction is needed for human beings.

Easy Flow of Money:

In the present time technology has advanced the form of payment options to a point where people used credit cards and online transfers of money on a day to day basis. There are programs that gambling websites utilize such as NETeller that allow people to pay online extremely easily and a person can do so anytime wherever they like. The simplicity of these payment options leads people to spend more without noticing and makes it easy to re-gamble money that has been won very quickly. The United States has teamed up with many American banks which prohibit the use of some credit cards with Internet Gambling. There are still ways to get around this such as wire transfers and cheques.

Suicide:

According to the Canada Safety Council it is estimated that over 200 compulsive gamblers end up taking their own lives each year in Canada. Suicide is the worst of consequences that may occur, others can include bankruptcy, fraud, theft, homelessness, or family issues. Below is an article related to suicide and problem gambling. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1016864_heads_gambling_tragedy

Regulation: The ability to regulate online gambling has been said to be nearly impossible. This popular and successful money-making market will continue to function so long as there are a limited number of legal issues. Online Gambling companies are expanding around the globe and many of these are privately owned. With new technology there is no telling how much growth this industry can permit in the years to come. Below is an article about the United States’ action against online gambling. http://www.citizenlink.org/FOSI/gambling/A000004244.cfm

Easy Access to Minors: There is a danger associated with the Internet in that there is a serious issue involving access to websites that are considered restricted or mature. Sites that promote free gambling can attract underage players and while confidence in the game builds there is an increased chance that they may try their luck with real money. Since children do not usually have the money to participate in Internet gambling they may actually steal credit cards from their parents.

Privacy:

Like the use of royalty cards by many businesses online gambling sites use the same idea and collect information about a person using account details, play habits, and other personal information. With this information in hand they may actually sell it to other companies and it is all part of marketing games and products to you. There can be little or no privacy when taking part in online gambling activities.

= Other Links =

Video Link
Click here for a video link. This video deals with Gambling addiction also included is online gambling addiction and youth addiction. It is a very interesting video, so check it out!

"Gambling Addiction" on youtube.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHDYk15V6hE&feature=related

Addiction Quiz
Take this quiz to test your addiction to the Internet:

http://www.netaddiction.com/resources/internet_addiction_test.htm

= Conclusion =

Conclusion
Online Gambling is a growing technological industry that receives more and more customers every day. As online gambling is a rather simple form of gambling to engage in, the positive outcomes such as large profits and increased number of female gamblers, are now reeling in more gamblers of all ages and sexes. Although online gambling has its positives there are also the negatives; for example, addiction, lack of regulation, and such issues such as privacy breaching. The neverending debate of whether or not Online Gambling should be permitted will continue for many years to come. And for that reason our team believes that with an efficient method of regulating the Online Gambling industry, it should be legalized.

Solution
Once we deem Online Gambling a legal act there must be laws and regulations laid out in order to promote the fairest Online Gambling system possible. We believe that if the Gambling sites came to agreements with the major Banking Corporations, there would be less problems with over spending and money laundering. Next, we believe that if a program was developped that each individual would have to go out and by from a retailer, this would create legitimacy immediately. For example, each "gambler" must purchase the program, sign a contract confirming that they are of the age of majority, then they must register their account online (which will be governed by laws). This system could be flawless with a lot of effort, leading to an extremely large cash flow for the entrepreneurs and the body who governs it.

= Other =

= Web Page Links =

Articles:

1)http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/gambling/onlinegambling.html

2)http://www.gamcare.org.uk/news.php/27/press_release_underage_internet_gambling_study

3)http://news.parttimepoker.com/2008/02/23/lee-russo-vs-washingtons-online-gambling-ban-court-date-set/

4)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poker_Players_Alliance

5)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_gambling

6)http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1872731.stm

Reviews of Online Gambling:

7)http://www.gambling-guru.com/

8)http://www.gamblingrose.com/

9)http://www.casino-online-fr.com/ca/

10)http://www.onlinecasinobluebook.com/

Help Line:

11)http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/

12)http://www.gam-anon.org/

13)http://www.camh.net/egambling/issue7/clinic/index.html

14)http://www.lanecounty.org/prevention/gambling/youth_online.htm

15)http://www.ncpgambling.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1

Other:

16)http://wiki.answers.com/wiki.phtml?title=Special:Search&search=online+gambling

17)http://www.vegaspalms.com/

18)http://gaming.uleth.ca/

19)http://www.gonegambling.com/

20)http://www.gamblingonlinemagazine.com/

21)http://www.bestinonlinegambling.com/

22)http://www.gambleversity.com/

23)http://www.safety-council.org/info/community/gambling.html

24)Russel, Andy. January 19, 2007. Retrieved on March 11, 2008. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1016864_heads_gambling_tragedy

25)Internet Gambling: Is it Worth the Risk? Series: Internet Gambling :[Final Edition]. (2006, November 7). Alberni Valley Times,p. 11. Retrieved March

26)A big deal; Poker. (2007, December). The Economist, 385(8560), 32. Retrieved March 6, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 1402194561).

27)Internet gaming addictive because of easy access. (2006, November 3). Goldstream Gazette,p. 9. Retrieved March 6, 2008, from Canadian Newsstand Black Press database. (Document ID: 1156496791).

28)888 plans to triple profits by 2010. (2008, February). Investors Chronicle,1. Retrieved March 6, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 1431880621).

29)Viveca Ware (2008, January). Banks Come Out Winners in Internet Gambling Bill. Independent Banker, 58(1), 72-74. Retrieved March 6, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry database. (Document ID: 1409200411).

30)Daniel Pimlott in New York (2008, January). More charges in US online gambling crackdown. FT.com,1. Retrieved March 6, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 1409631641).

31)Analyst Speak: Mobile is ideal channel for casual gambling. (2006, July). New Media Age,7. Retrieved March 6, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 1081986321).

32)Irish Firm Bets on Internet Poker. (2005, September). PR Newswire Europe Including UK Disclose,***[insert pages]***. Retrieved March 6, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry database. (Document ID: 897440741).

33)Randy Shore (2008, February 29). How we're becoming a Poker Nation; Free sites whet the appetite for real-money stakes :[Final Edition]. The Vancouver Sun,p. A1. Retrieved March 6, 2008, from Canadian Newsstand Core database. (Document ID: 1437686551).