Professor Assails Inaccurate Claim by Congressman, Encourages Responsible Internet Gambling Regulation

July 21, 2008 at 12:24 pm · Filed under Online Gambling

Dr. Jeffrey L. Derevensky, a leading professor at McGill University, contends that Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) incorrectly cited the university's research on gambling addiction in arguing for the continued prohibition on Internet gambling. Derevensky in fact believes that the regulation of online gambling is an opportunity to put in place safeguards to combat problem and underage gambling.

In a mark up of the Payments System Protection Act (H.R. 5767) in the House Committee on Financial Services on June 25, 2008, Rep. Bachus, citing research at McGill, claimed that one-third of college students who gambled online attempted suicide.

"This assertion, which is reportedly based upon our empirical research, is not predicated upon any factual evidence," responded Derevensky in an interview with the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative. "None of the studies conducted with adolescents or college students, to the best of my knowledge, have looked at a connection between Internet wagering and suicide attempts." Derevensky raised these same concerns in a letter sent last week to Reps. Bachus and Barney Frank (D-Mass.)

Derevensky believes there is an opportunity for Congress to better protect consumers in a regulated environment. "If Congress is serious about minimizing the threat posed by Internet gambling, it should look to create an environment where Internet gambling operators are required to put in place safeguards that protect against compulsive and underage gambling."

Last week, a study conducted jointly by the University of Western Ontario and University of Nevada, Las Vegas called for the legalization and regulation of online gambling.

"Just as legalized commercial gambling in casinos allows for governments to regulate it, so, too, could the legalization of online gambling allow for better regulation and attempts to reduce the growth of problem gamblers," said June Cotte, associate professor at the University of Western Ontario, as reported by Poker News.

Existing technology and security controls have already proven to be effective in addressing compulsive gambling. Safeguards currently available in the industry include the ability to control the amount of money wagered, set limits on amounts bet and amounts lost, restrict the duration that someone can play, identify and stop players whose gambling patterns seem out of the ordinary, and allow for consumers to be excluded from online gambling.

"It is disappointing that Rep. Bachus is using scare tactics and false claims in an attempt to justify why Congress should limit my ability to gamble online," said Jeffrey Sandman, spokesman for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative. "We are encouraged by the academic community's support of Internet gambling regulation. They emphasize the important point that consumers will be better protected if there are safeguards put in place to combat underage and problem gambling."

The Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007 (H.R. 2046), introduced by Rep. Frank, would establish an enforcement framework for licensed gambling operators to accept bets and wagers from individuals in the U.S. It includes a number of built-in consumer protections, including safeguards against compulsive and underage gambling, money laundering, fraud and identity theft. A companion piece of legislation that would ensure the collection of taxes on regulated Internet gambling activities, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act of 2008 (H.R. 5523) was introduced by Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA).

Additionally, Rep. McDermott introduced last week, the Investing in our Human Resources Act (H.R.6051), which would direct new revenue generated by regulated Internet gambling activities to be spent on job training for those in the declining sectors of the economy and educational assistance for foster care youth. The bill also includes provisions to encourage responsible Internet gambling behavior and an awareness of unsafe practices, something which has been praised by problem gambling advocates.

"Though I support the dedication of resources to raise awareness about problem gambling, I encourage Congress to also provide appropriate funding for research, treatment and the prevention of problem gambling," added Derevensky.

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Online Sports Betting Tips And Informative Insights

July 21, 2008 at 12:20 pm · Filed under Online Gambling

Ever since the inception of the first online sports betting sites in 1995, people have been flocking in droves to try their luck at picking winners at their favorite sporting events. Online sports betting has been growing in popularity for a number of reasons that make it so different from standard casino style betting.

To start with, it is done from the comfort of your own home, so there are no parking problems, lines, booze being pushed at you or any of the other inconveniences that come with casino style gambling. Also, placing bets on a wider variety of games and events is so much quicker and easier online then in a standard casino. Online sites have become excellent at offering not only the most popular betting offers, but they have grown to offer tailor made bets that even the most expert punter will approve of. It is really fascinating, and all the growth and specialization in betting offers has been thanks to the dramatic competition currently in place by major operators. They are now frantically trying to constantly lure consumers into making them use their specific facilities in all ways possible.

However; for the beginner it can be somewhat confusing due in part to the large number of websites that offer online sports betting that are available on the Internet. What is most important for the beginner user is that they find a reputable online casino to gamble at, as there are quite a few less then reputable outfits that are out there to cheat you. This has been a proven fact given that terrorist organizations have started online casinos for the purposes of money laundering and funding among other things. It is imperative that newbies go to proven and popular brands to start with, at least in the beginning of their online gambling operations until they grow in knowledge.

There are a number of websites that will refer you to online gambling centers but most of them do their referring to gambling centers that pay them a kickback commission. Fortunately there is a vast selection of legitimate online gaming sites to choose from and most of them will allow you a free trial period. No time obligations are exerted, and most gamblers have multiple accounts with major sites for the purposes of odds comparisons in order to place bets with the highest bidder given the easiness of funding options available to the punter.

Still one more thing to try is to visit chat rooms that have gambling or sports betting related topics. It is there that you will meet likeminded people that can pass on some of what they have learned. Remember, that you must be 18 to gamble online and if you are new to it, it is important to learn how to set limits. Also, remember to keep your bets small at first until you get the hang of it. Please visit a counselor if you have gambling problems, and always remember to have fun while doing this activity.

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