Experts Say Don't Ban Internet Gaming

[CmdrTulkas]

Quote:

Speaking before the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States on June 14 in Napa, Calif., the diverse panel of industry experts updated the lawmakers on the aftereffects of the federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. The assessment included an examination of the 5-year-old international dispute between Antigua and the federal government, which is trying to keep foreign companies out of the domestic market. The World Trade Organization ruled against the United States’ position.

While the U.S. has tried to prohibit Internet gaming, other countries have chosen to regulate it.

“The United States is going one way, and the rest of the world the other,” said consultant Frank Catania, who predicted that after the 2008 presidential election the U.S. would join the regulatory wave. “The online gaming market will continue to expand regardless of decision to regulate. Consumer demand and industry growth will force governments to act.”

I don't know about the rest of you, but I used to gamble too much. I sold my account to a friend, and it took a while to get over. One of my friends has made a career out of poker online, and has become a millionaire from online and real life poker tournaments now.

Linked Up

[Craig]

well the only reason it's banned is because the Government can't find a way to tax winnings online. Plainly put, uncle Sam can't get his slice of the pie so we all suffer.

[Koniec]

Craig's right. Most things are illegal because they can't be taxed. For instance drugs like marijuana or crack, brought on as morally wrong but the government only cares about getting their cut.

[CmdrTulkas]

So why can other governments tax for those things?

[Teck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

well the only reason it's banned is because the Government can't find a way to tax winnings online. Plainly put, uncle Sam can't get his slice of the pie so we all suffer.

Yup...