The World Trade Organization and Online Gambling
The World Trade Organization, or WTO, is a multinational organization that sets up and enforces trade agreements among its members. Antigua and Barbuda, an island nation in the Caribbean, complained that online gambling harmed the economy and displaced thousands of workers. In 2004, the WTO found that U.S. online gambling laws violated international trade agreements, but the United States refused to change its position. Now, however, the World Trade Organization is weighing whether to take action against online gambling.
Statistics show that online gambling is a $40 billion industry in the United States alone. There are many forms of online gambling, including casino games and fun games like poker. Thousands of people find enjoyment in gambling online, whether they are playing online or competing in live poker. Some have learned mathematically-based strategies to win blackjack. Whatever your reason for gambling, online gambling has the potential to make your life more interesting. Just be sure to be aware of the risks and limitations associated with it.
One study by Nancy M. Petry and George T. Ladd found that Internet gamblers were more likely to develop gambling problems than traditional gamblers. Of those surveyed, 74% of internet gamblers had at least one gambling problem, compared to 21.6% of people who gambled on traditional gambling sites. The findings have implications for how to treat those who have issues with gambling. However, there is hope for those who are affected by gambling.
To start enjoying online gambling, all you need is a computer with an internet connection. Most gambling websites accept various types of payment. The most common are credit cards and debit cards. Once you choose a payment method, you can input your card number and the amount you want to deposit. The site will then transfer the funds to your account. Although these methods can be confusing, they do exist. So, if you’re looking to play gambling online, don’t hesitate. And if you’re not comfortable using online gambling sites, consider using a credit card.
The size of the online gambling industry varies widely. While some countries, including the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, have attempted to gauge its size, it has grown tremendously. The number of Caribbean-based internet casinos reached about fifty or sixty in 1997, earning between $300 and $350 million in revenue. By 2000, there were an estimated 700 sites. It is hard to walk a street in the city of London without seeing an advertisement for an online bookmaker.
While the federal government has yet to pass any law regulating online gambling, the United States is considering it. In a recent report, the U.S. Department of Justice said it will impose a new set of rules to help keep illegal gambling out of society. This legislation has not yet been passed, but it is being viewed as a “vice” by the federal government. The government hopes that online gambling will become more widely accepted and safer over time.