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The best way to curb online gambling abuses is regulation. Nevertheless, American law continues to ignore the reality of the growing industry, and of Americans' participation within it, and continues to ban the games outright.
Rather than address the issues the prohibitions prevent the US from dealing with the growing problems of this industry. Unfortunately, the US government continues to produce empty rhetoric on the dangers of online gaming. They produce hollow legislation to inhibit international Internet businesses from operating in the USA. In the end, however, these are banal exercises.
What America needs to do is develop decent regulations which would determine consistent, enforceable and punishable standards. Those within the industry are also promoting the establishment of enforceable regulations, to prevent gambling abuses. They themselves have been seeking governmental support for these concerns and are attempting to devise systematic processes to protect those most vulnerable. However, American politics has been ignoring the reality of the issue.
What the US government is overlooking is a $12 billion industry. It consists of thousands of companies that are only becoming more established and successful. Thus it is an industry, like any other, that requires regulation.
Many companies within the industry are already operating with high standards and ethics, however, these needs to be enforced on everyone. This will ensure business is conducted responsibly. Those most vulnerable to gambling problems need to be protected by instituted guidelines and protocols.
In order to accomplish this, partnerships with consumers, watchdog agencies and regulator as well as with the general public need to be established. This will help to dissipate fears. By opening the industry to regulation, issues such as underage gambling can be addressed and prevented.
Regulation not prevents the industry from advertising to these age groups but also allows for identifying features that provides links to filtering systems which parents can subscribe to. Regulation makes these practices enforceable and also increases their reach. Along with new technologies, the industry is better equipped to block participation of certain players and classes of players, as well as providing audit trails for all transactions. These tools can also help curb excessive and compulsive gamblers and even help clients assess their own gambling behavior. Furthermore, companies can also offer links to organizations that help gamblers with problems. Under regulations these practices can be imposed as standards.
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