Online Casino Operators Calling U.S. Policy Protectionist

In the U.S., players can legally bet in 46 of the 50 states, be it in Vegas or Indian casinos, on horses or lotteries. But for all you unlucky cyberfolks, the Internet's a no-no. According to the latest American law concerning wagering, online gambling is illegal. And will be until further notice.

Unless, of course, the online gaming industry builds its case and sells it, as it's trying to do. Already people are calling the U.S.'s new legislation protectionist in nature. Even the World Trade Organization considers the USA in violation of international law by labeling it a crime for Americans residents to place online wagers with offshore bookies.

While the online gaming industry ranks currently as nothing more than a "mini me" in comparison to the "brick & mortar" casinos, looking at the statistics, it's easy to see why the Vegas and Atlantic City casinos are keeping mum; Gross wagers (less winnings) on legal gaming in the States hit nearly $84 billion in 2005 in comparison to the online gambling world's $6 billion in revenues. However, while the land-based establishments experienced a 6.1 percent rise in earnings, the online industry enjoyed a staggering 42.2% leap in the same year.

Proponents of online gaming insist their industry is already creating a situation whereby folks who never gambled before are discovering the enjoyment betting online. Consequently these new players are spinning off and now more likely to someday travel to a Vegas-like gambling spot. According to a 2005 survey by the American Gaming Association, though only 4% of Americans gamble over the Internet, 38% of them claimed they only began last year, and 70% began placing bets online within only the last two years.