Online Gambling ban - postponed! by Barbora Misakova

When I hear a word “gambling” I always imagine those incredibly big casinos somewhere in Las Vegas, all shining in the colors of the world, with plenty of automats and card tables. I imagine lot of people, all trembling from the whole excitement. Win or not to win? That is the most important question when you are real gambler. Of course, the bare fact that you are in the casino is not the evidence you are a gambler, but you at least have very close to it. Many of casino visitors are just trying to make their day unusual and remarkable. They are there just like some kind of tourists who want to see what only movies can show – the place which smells of money! and rich people. Even though I was never lured so much by this view, I have to admit I would like to visit such a place. Not for game or winning money, just for feeling that atmosphere. Of course, the real and “unhealthy” gambling has anything else than atmosphere. Gambling can have adverse social consequences which I don’t have to talk about. While casinos are strictly monitored and so the gamblers can be easily uncovered, on the internet it is bigger problem. There are incredible numbers of online casinos where you can play casino games such as roulette, blackjack, or pachinko comfortably from your living room. No one can see you, and what is worse, no one can actually arrest you. The Internet gambling ban which should regulate activities of various financial institutions was delayed. The new rules which were to take effect on December 1 would be delayed until June 1, 2010. These new rules should prohibit accepting payments from credit cards, checks or ! electronic fund transfers, but as the financial industry compl! ained th at the new rules are not defining clearly what the Internet gambling is, the ban had to be postponed. I hardly doubt the situation is going to be better on June 1 next year, but who knows? Maybe all the online casinos will be shut down once and for all!

related story (sgx16021): http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20091127/ap_on_hi_te/us_intern...

by Barbora Misakova for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

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