On Line Gambling and Problem Gambling Review: 112th Edition: Impact on Teens, Neteller Takes Hit, Internet Gambling in the U.S.
The Problem Gambling Community Program purpose is to strengthen the
capacity of communities to respond to the negative impacts of
gambling. The program works in collaboration with Saskatchewan Health
to deliver the public education and community development components
of Saskatchewan’ s problem gambling program.
Bill Ursel
Director
On Line Gambling and Problem Gambling Review
112th Edition: Impact on Teens, Neteller Takes Hit, Internet Gambling
in the U.S.-Current Legislation
1) Impact on Teenagers: Stakes Continue to Be High
The Towncrier shares this series of anecdotal accounts. The narrative
provides valuable perspectives on the impact of gambling with youth . . .
“TJ Nathaniel, a 19-year-old former Oakwood Collegiate student, says
he’s been gambling since he was about 15 or 16. He began playing poker
on the Internet at 17, even though the legal age for online betting is
18. His style of poker is No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em. He used to play at
least five times a week, then stopped for a short while when the site
he frequented closed down. He eventually moved on to an-other one.”
http://tinyurl. com/ysejms
2) British Treatment Guide
Mark Griffiths is the contributing author of this guide developed for
the British Medical Association. Significant sections include core
definitions, support and treatment and references to Internet and
remote gambling. Griffiths notes (p. 19) . . .
“very recent studies using self-selected samples suggest that the
prevalence of problem
gambling among internet gamblers is relatively high (Griffiths &
Barnes, 2005; Wood, Griffiths & Parke, in press). What is clear,
however, is that online gambling has strong potential to facilitate,
or even encourage, problematic gambling behaviour (Griffiths, 2003c).”
3) Neteller Takes Hit via U.S. Legislation
The arrest of its founders January 15/07 on U.S. soil on money
laundering charges and the company’s (Neteller) delicate position as a
publicly traded British company forced it to cease handling U.S.
betting transfers as of January 18, 2007.
Senator Bill Frist and others have been unusually quiet about recent
action. The October rise and passage of the Unlawful Internet
Gambling Enforcement Act has led to a range of action against Neteller
and other on line gambling processing firms and actual gambling sites.
This response by Frist comes early in October 2006 . . .in the
Baptist Press.
Larry Rutherford of Casino Gambling Web provides his take on the Frist
article here . . .
PokerNews writer Stephen Noh writes on January 19/07 that the impact
may not be as extreme as some observers indicate. He highlights
Epassporte and Click2Pay as sites being ready to fill the breach . . .
He notes concerns with each from a players perspective . . .
“One frequent complaint from Epassporte users is the amount of hidden
fees that they attach – for instance, their load/reload fee is $5 per
$100 deposit and in order to withdraw funds, you need to purchase a
$35 electron card with a $2 fee for withdrawal or do an Electronic
Funds Transfer (EFT).”
“Click2Pay offers deposit/withdrawals through credit card or bank
transfer. Unlike Epassporte, Click2Pay does not charge a fee on
deposits made directly from your bank account. It does, however,
charge a 3% fee on deposits made using your credit/debit card.”
The murky waters of jurisprudence tells many tales. The arguments of
law could make all of our heads spin . . .however Tom Jones on Casino
Gambling provides several opinions on the matter . . .
My concern with the host of options is the dizzying pace of `ease’
being presented to on line gamblers. One site down, another two,
three or more stepping in to address consumer `need’. Responsible
action on the part of on line business would call for monitoring of
sites for illegal fees and problem gambling behaviour. There seems
little time and effort given to proactive vision on the part of those
making significant profit at the expense of players, their families,
employers and communities.
4) U.S. Internet Legislation . . .Winding Road
A thumbnail of the related legislation may be helpful to clarify the
current U.S. firestorm/reaction/ impact.
The initiatives run back perhaps 10 years. Various representatives in
the U.S. congress lobby to add teeth to the 1961 Federal Wire Wager
Act. Jeffrey Rodefer provides his review of the legislation . . .
http://www.gambling -law-us.com/ Federal-Laws/ wire-act. htm
Various initiatives and debates took place. That debate leads to
H.R. 4411 The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2005 . . .
http://www.govtrack .us/congress/ bill.xpd? bill=h109- 4411
Various revisions and further debate leads to P.L. 109-347 The
Security and Accountability For Every Port Act. The eleventh hour
procedures raised concerns and many eyebrows with the passage of this
bill . . .
The relevant section TITLE VIII–UNLAWFUL INTERNET GAMBLING ENFORCEMENT
SEC. 801. SHORT TITLE.
5) British Gambling Act
The British Gambling Act 2005 may be found at the following link. It
appears that being verbose is a gift shared by both American and
British lawmakers. This act has 362 subsections and 18 `schedules’.
Those schedules provide varied aspects and definitions of law. The
implications are outlined, at other times, there is some latitude for
interpretation.
