Some online gambling sites require downloads. Other games are played directly at the Web site. Some high-tech games even let players chat with other players. These developments make online gambling much more interactive. While it can be difficult to estimate the size of the online gambling industry, experts agree that it has grown rapidly. As early as 1997, there were approximately fifty to sixty Internet casinos in the Caribbean, generating between $300 million and $350 million in revenue. By the year 2000, there were about 700 websites.
Moreover, Internet gambling is increasingly popular among younger adults. A study conducted by the University of Connecticut found that 33% of respondents were younger than 30 and that almost half of all those who gambled on the internet were between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-two. However, ethnicity played a significant role, with non-whites making up only 15.8% of the total population. Online gambling is widely accessible to anyone, making it difficult for problem gamblers to avoid it.
When it comes to legality, online gambling can be legal in some countries, but illegal in others. Some countries also have legal requirements for online gambling, such as the minimum age. Most online gambling websites require that the player be at least eighteen years old. Others have no age limit, but make sure to check the age requirement of the country where you plan to play. If you are unsure about your age, visit your local government’s website for information.
In addition to the legal requirements, online gambling is often regulated. Many countries have a regulatory body to regulate the industry, but these bodies have limited oversight and do not apply to online gambling websites. For example, Costa Rica has a notoriously lax licensing system, while Gibraltar is more reputable and provides a reasonable level of oversight to its licensees. In addition to the UK, Kahnawake, a tribal licensing body in Canada, is an example of a jurisdiction that imposes strict laws on online gambling. While Malta is another jurisdiction with high standards, Antigua and Barbuda are primarily online gambling destinations.
In 2004, Antigua and Barbuda approached the World Trade Organization, which sets trading agreements between members. The organization convened a panel that reviewed U.S. laws governing online gambling. The panel found that the United States had violated international trade agreements. However, the judge in Carruthers’ case ruled that the WTO ruling could be used as a defense in the case. The European Union is also considering filing a complaint against the United States over online gambling laws, arguing that the U.S. treats foreign businesses like criminals.
In addition to online gambling, other states have laws prohibiting it. While many states have passed laws regulating online gambling, only Nevada and New Jersey have legalized it. In many ways, the state laws are inconsistent. A number of different states have different regulations, but the UIGEA is the most strict. The federal government should take action against individuals who do not follow these laws. For example, the state of Delaware does not allow its residents to gamble online.
