Focusing on the vices and virtues of online gambling<\/p>\n
By Vishnu K. Mahmud<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Two years ago, the lights, audacity and pure
\ntackiness of Las Vegas, gambling capital of the world, dazzled
\nme. No where else can the Egyptian Pyramids blend so well with a
\ncastle from the Middle Ages, while on the other side of the road
\nsits a giant replica of New York City complete with the Coney
\nIsland roller coaster.<\/p>\n
This was a gamblers paradise and I thought there was no way
\nonline gambling could be successful. You must visit a casino to
\ntruly appreciate the "sport".<\/p>\n
I was wrong. Today, Online Gambling is a multi-billion dollar
\nindustry. Sites have sprouted around the net offering everything
\nfrom sports betting (who will win the next Super Bowl) to virtual
\ngambling (blackjack, poker and the like). For businesses, opening
\na virtual gambling venture can be a profitable enterprise.<\/p>\n
The start up cost can be small while they grow their
\nmembership, and software is easy to create. There will never be a
\nshortage of customers to their sites as long as they update
\ncontinuously, pay their clients' winnings, have a good reputation
\nand provide excellent service.<\/p>\n
With the help of the Net, these gaming sites can command a
\nworldwide audience. No more must people go to Vegas, Monte Carlo
\nor Macao for their gambling experience. Just sit back in your
\nliving room, power up the computer and log on. You can place your
\nbets and win from the comfort of your own chair.<\/p>\n
Statistics on previous sports results can be brought up and
\nhelp you to decide which wager to place. You can play blackjack
\nonline with other punters from around the world. You can even
\nchat as you bet. You may miss the free drinks, smoky atmosphere
\nand background sounds of the slot machines but you still have the
\nchance of winning if you play!<\/p>\n
Governments can benefit from legalized gambling since the
\ntaxes can help build roads, improve social conditions and lower
\ntaxes for its citizens. The State of Nevada (home to Las Vegas)
\nhas no income tax for its residents and the state is continuously
\nexpanding.<\/p>\n
Even Malaysia has a special area where gambling is legal
\nthanks to its Prime Minister's pragmatism. In Britain, some money
\nfrom the National Lottery goes to the National Health Service.<\/p>\n
There are, of course, moral considerations about gambling. In
\nIslam, gambling is forbidden. So opening up a gambling site based
\nin Indonesia will not be possible. And, although the site would
\nbe profitable and create jobs for many here, a lot of people
\nwould say that those profits would be on the backs of those who
\nreally can't afford to gamble, who could then ignore their family
\nand social responsibilities for the sake of trying to win.<\/p>\n
Many consider gambling as a social disease: once you start to
\ngamble it is difficult to stop. One person said that gambling is
\nlike walking through a car park. You find $100 and think, "maybe
\nI should walk around the car park again." What is to stop an
\naverage person from gambling in the privacy of his own home?
\nGetting deeper into debt. Mesmerized by the chance of winning.
\nBut you can win lots of money if you try. So is it really that
\nbad to place a bet on the Canadiens hockey team against the
\nBoston Bruins? It's ONLY one bet, right?<\/p>\n
Most online gambling sites are based outside the United States
\nthat, interestingly enough, has strict interstate gambling laws.
\nIt is illegal for a citizen of one state (where gambling is
\nillegal) to place a wager over telephone lines (thus, the
\ninternet) in another state where gambling is legal.<\/p>\n
It is not actually moral considerations that prompt state
\ngovernments to declare war on online gambling but rather those of
\nrevenue. Since most of these outfits are offshore, none of the
\nstates can get income tax revenue from the winnings. And
\nrecently, the U.S. has begun to flex its muscles with regard to
\nvirtual gambling.<\/p>\n
World Sport Exchange (www.wsex.com) is an offshore Internet
\nGambling company based in Antigua whose executives were recently
\ntargeted by an FBI sting operation.<\/p>\n
Jay Cohen, co-founder of the site, was convicted of illegal
\nInternet wagering. He was accused of allowing a resident of New
\nYork State (where gambling is illegal) to place sports bets.
\nNever mind that the company is based in the Caribbean, Cohen, an
\nAmerican, was found guilty nevertheless.<\/p>\n
This case has opened a Pandora's box of conflicting legal
\nissues. Whose laws can be applied where and for what? Can a U.S.
\ncourt convict a company based in Turkey? Can a French court
\ncondemn an American citizen in Germany for selling banned
\nmemorabilia? As many have found out, thanks to the anarchic
\nnature of the Internet, national borders are practically useless
\nin the virtual world. But that hasn't stopped countries from
\ntrying.<\/p>\n
But, in the end gambling sites are probably a necessary evil.
\nThey create revenue, taxes and jobs. As does the cigarette
\nindustry. Despite the social and health considerations, they
\nexist and it is up to the individual user to decide if he or she
\nwill log on or light up. Punters should always remember though,
\nthe odds favor the gambling establishment. The house almost
\nalways wins. (vmahmud@yahoo.com)<\/p>",
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