Text 1725, 96 rader
Skriven 2006-07-16 14:21:08 av Alan Hess
Ärende: online gambling
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How should gambling via the Internet be handled?  Here's suggestions from a
person in the industry.

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http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.gambling16jul16,0,6150348
.story?coll=bal-pe-opinion

From the Baltimore Sun
Don't try to restrict online gambling - regulate and tax it


By David Carruthers

July 16, 2006

Since the U.S. House has managed to pass legislation to restrict online
gambling, it is now more important than ever for the American public to know
that this effort would not deter underage gambling or protect the vulnerable in
society. In fact, this type of legislation would ultimately exacerbate the very
issues that it aims to address, making Internet gambling behavior more hidden
and increasing the likelihood that the best operating standards of this
industry would not be followed and enforced.

Here is the secret that these politicians don't want the public to know about
our industry: We want to be regulated. We want to be taxed. We want to be
licensed. Instead of dealing with us constructively to address issues of mutual
concern, these legislators prefer to pretend that they can control the
Internet.

Instead of protecting the public, they would rather waste time on public
posturing to their partisan base, and they would rather waste tax dollars on
empty legislative exercises instead of taking ethical actions that would
increase revenues to cities, states and the federal government from the taxes
we would pay.

Internet gambling is a $12 billion industry with more than 2,000 companies.
Increasingly, these are public companies operating under transparent practices
of good governance. Despite what these members of Congress think, we are a
strong industry, and Americans are participating in growing numbers. Overall,
Americans wagered nearly $6 billion online in 2005, compared with about $1.5
billion in 2001.

Why spend time in a futile, meaningless attempt to restrict Americans from
participating when time and effort can be better spent determining how best to
regulate us? America's land-based gambling organization, the American Gaming
Association, is supporting legislation that would set up a congressional
commission to explore the feasibility of regulation.

Under regulation and licensing, best practices would become standard.

First, we would be able to better prevent underage gambling. Currently, online
gambling companies have a number of safeguards to prevent minors from gambling.
We do not advertise to the age group, and we have clear rules on our sites. We
double-check credit card information, and we can provide links to filtering
systems so parents can add restrictions. New technologies can provide
regulators with detailed information, including the ability to provide an audit
trail for each transaction or to block participation by certain players or
classes of players. Regulation makes these practices enforceable and extends
their reach.

Second, we could better deter compulsive gambling. Currently, companies use
software to help customers keep track of their betting histories. These
controls help customers assess and limit their behavior, and can also be used
to impose cooling-off periods. In addition, many companies provide links to
organizations that can help problem gamblers. With regulation, these practices
could become standard within the industry.

Third, regulators can ensure transparency and good corporate governance. Many
companies provide complete information about their operation and location,
including e-mail addresses, postal addresses and phone numbers so they are
easily accessible. In addition, a growing number of companies provide thorough
training programs to employees to ensure that they do their jobs ethically and
know how to handle potential problems with customers in ways that protect their
privacy. With regulation, these practices could be required of all gambling
companies that seek to do business in the United States.

The United Kingdom decided the best way to limit the risks of online gambling
is not to ban it but to regulate and control the industry. Britain has also
established a national gambling commission to protect consumers, restrict
access to minors and prevent money laundering and other criminal activity. The
British structure is a successful model that we can follow.

The issue now is not whether it is possible to stop online gambling. The issue
is: What are the most effective ways to regulate a business that is growing and
thriving and clearly has a market to serve? Congress should take the
responsible course of action by focusing on regulations that protect the public
and mandate the best practices of all online gambling companies.

David Carruthers is CEO of an online wagering company. His e-mail is
ceo@betonsports.com.

Copyright + 2006, The Baltimore Sun | Get Sun home delivery

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