Online Gambling Sites Say Regulate Us To Curb Gambling Abuses

The current proposal by Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) directed toward banning Internet gambling is still another example of lost efforts to stop the industry rather than to regulate it.
In place of additional rhetoric regarding the risks of Internet gambling and additional empty legislative exercises to stop worldwide Internet businesses from functioning in the United States, we should really try something to approach the concerns regarding Internet gambling. We should develop stiff regulations that can form regular and enforceable rules that the industry should maintain.
This may come as a surprise to some of our critics as well as the public to become aware that we contribute to their concerns about gambling abuse and have been attempting to gain support from governments to create efficient ways to protect populations at risk. But up until the present, American politicians have disdained to help.
Our business is a flourishing reality reflecting a $12 billion industry made up of more than 2,000 companies that are in need of regulation. Even though several companies in this industry are functioning using a high level of ethics, we need reliable standards that are enforced across the board to allow a situation where all operators will perform their business responsibly.
We need clearly set guidelines and priorities designed to protect those who are at risk to gambling. We need to form partnerships with the consumers, regulators, watchdog agencies as well as the general public, so as to assure that we are reacting to the public’s fears regarding the industry. We need to cooperate with regulators to make sure that the very best industry practices may be extended to all companies and new ways be found to stop abuses will be explored and carried out.
As an example, when the environment is regulated, many critical issues may be addressed.
The first thing is that identification and enforcement of best practices to stop underage gambling can be carried out. There are a number of safeguards to prevent underage gambling online, available to online gambling companies. A first step is to cease advertising to that age group. Our sites post clear-cut rules, credit-card information is double-checked and links to filtering systems are provide to parents who want to implement restrictions.
Regulation however, will make these practices enforceable and extend them. There are new technologies that can offer regulators new tools. These include the ability to make available an audit trail connected to each transaction or blocking even participation by particular players or classes of players.
Second, ways to cut off extreme or compulsive type gambling can be strengthened. Specific customer tracking controls are currently being used by companies that allow their customers to maintain track of their betting histories. Through these controls customers may assess and limit their own behavior, and they can also be used to put in place cooling off periods. In addition to this several companies are providing links to organizations that are able to assist gamblers that have betting problems. With the advent of regulations, these practices will become the standard for the industry and more easily enforceable.

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