When online gambling became popular in the 1990s, it appeared to be an end-run around government regulations. Because online gambling operators could set up shop in an offshore jurisdiction, it appeared that anyone with an internet connection could find a site and start placing bets. Congress and the Department of Justice were looking into whether online gambling could be regulated, but there was little clarity. However, these efforts have continued. Here is what we know today.
Statistics
Over the last few years, the number of online gaming platforms has grown. Popular gaming services such as Xbox Live, PlayStation Plus, and Nintendo Online have become almost indispensable to console gamers. New services such as Google Stadia and Apple Arcade have also gained prominence. Yet, despite these changes, nearly half of US gamers do not pay any money for these platforms. Moreover, nearly a third of them still subscribe to the PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live service.
Legality
Although most countries in the world restrict online gambling, online betting is legal in the United States and some Canadian provinces. Most countries of the European Union and several Caribbean nations also allow online gambling. Most online casinos have to be licensed by the appropriate authority, such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Legality issues can sometimes result in lengthy delays, but most cases of online betting are unreliable and merely rumors.
Addiction
The effects of online gaming on youth self-esteem of males and females were examined in the current study. Both sexes showed increased online gaming time, but males were significantly more addicted to online gaming than females. Other factors that may contribute to online gaming addiction included age and self-esteem. The location of online gaming was also examined. A positive self-esteem was related to higher levels of online gaming, but negative self-esteem was not associated with online gaming.
Regulation
The European Commission recently issued a Communication on Regulation of Online Gambling. This document was followed by a Staff working paper. The document identifies five key challenges associated with the current regulatory framework, including the protection of minors. A key area of concern for the Commission is regulating online gambling to ensure fairness. In addition, it helps protect the interests of players by ensuring that gambling operators are reputable organizations. Here are a few examples of recent regulation initiatives from the EU.