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The internet’s capability to blur boundaries and society’s acceptance of casino gambling and sports betting ultimately shed light on the inconsistencies and loopholes of American gambling laws. From the makeshift sports book stalls in Nevada, most sports betting activities shifted operations and exploited the options of cyberspace in the mid-1990s. At the moment, there are actually numerous online gaming sites catering to sports betting and casino gambling based in countries like Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Ireland.
Despite overseas-based operations, the lion’s share of the revenues and clients of these sites come from American states. In fact, recent studies show that these online casino gambling and sports betting sites earn more than legal casinos operating in Nevada. The profits of online gambling and betting sites are estimated at $70 billion for 2005 alone. This is an incredible amount compared to the reported $2 billion from Nevada casinos. This really is enough to overthrow the three-decade reign of Nevada casinos from the 60’s to the early 90’s. Considering that sports book and casino sites have been operating for less than two decades, they’re clearly a threat to the thriving Nevada gambling scene.
For years, Las Vegas will be the only place legal for gambling operations. Atlantic City followed suit and made casino gambling legal; the next decades saw the proliferation of state lotteries, card clubs, gaming ships, Indian casinos, and off-track betting salons through the nation. But still, these developments are insufficient to compete with online gambling. The area of online gambling is just not even swayed by staunch opposition from legal US casinos. The gambling laws of the states of America don’t help, too. They vary widely from the different states. Most states ban all forms of gambling while some make exceptions. Inconsistencies like these make it easy for online operators to seek out and use loopholes within the law. The American Gaming Association maintains a defensive stand regarding online gambling. The association pushes for federal laws on the regulation of online gambling. Based on them, the unregulated nature of the online gambling industry will be its advantage over traditional casinos; regulating it puts both camps on even footing.
But regardless of this stand, some Nevada casinos are following the old stand-by: if you’re not able to beat them, join them. November 1998 saw the start of a brand new trend; traditional casinos started acquiring off-shore online casino gambling companies to improve their profits. An affiliate of the Hilton Hotels absorbed the Australian sports book Centrebet.com. Other Nevada casinos followed and this cycle again spawned a whole new barrage of debates.
Contrary to their earlier dislike of the internet gambling industry, the traditional casinos set their sights higher. They’re now pressuring the Congress to pass a law that legalizes online gambling. This is done within an effort to lower production costs; legalization means that they could now shift their operations in the US. Harrah’s and MGM Mirage, the two leading casinos in Nevada and undoubtedly owning their very own online lottery (this hyperlink) gambling sites, lead the casinos in requesting for the regulation of online gaming. Clearly, this move requesting for regulation doesn’t intend to put traditional casinos at par with online websites any more. The competition shifted between independent online sites and Nevada casino-owned sites. A move to regulate means double profits for the Nevada casinos.
Whatever comes out of this new development in casino gambling, gamers are still assured of their gambling fix. Possibly, if the proposed regulation is approved, there will be more security in betting online since it’s now under US laws. Like before, casino gambling proves itself to be a dynamic and ever-changing industry.
