UIGEA Regulations Do Not Address Problem Gambling
Posted on: November 26th, 2008 12:06 am | By: helenWhile the regulations of the Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) have been published and are set to be implemented on January 19th of the coming year, they have missed addressing one major issue. The UIGEA regulations are set up with the aim of cutting off funds to gamblers by hitting banks and other financial institutions and having them shoulder the responsibilities in regard to blocking online transactions that are associated with internet gambling. The regulations, however, missed a huge issue because they do nothing in terms of addressing problem gambling. Nor does it provide any money for making progress in that area of concern.
While people may talk a good game about putting an end to problem gambling, few progressive and pragmatic notions ever really take hold in any meaningful way to actually address the problem. The help provided in this regard is usually very indirect – it usually amounts to nothing more than the equivalent of cutting off money for people who have a drinking problem. None of the proposals ever address the root cause of the issue. The only thing that the UIGEA regulations will accomplish is to make it a bit more challenging to get their gambling needs met by one single venue.
None of the money that has been allocated to help enforce the regulations from the UIGEA are set up to address the issue of problem gambling. Problem gambling involves a preoccupation with gambling, a desire to bet more money more and more often, restlessness and irritability when an attempt is made to stop, a loss of control and ‘chasing’ losses. The online gambling industry itself has not made much progress in terms of addressing the issue of problem gambling, choosing instead to wait for solid and lasting regulations to be put in place before making any sort of move in that direction on their own.
Tags: online gambling laws, problem gambling, UIGEA regulations
