Another Reason Sports Betting Should Be Legalized!
The NBA is embroiled in a sports betting scandal that has far reaching results. NBA ref Tim Donaghy has been accused of placing bets on Basketball games he refereed. This might not look good for the online gambling community however according to the House Financial Services Committee head Barney Frank this is exactly why online gambling should be legalized.
The NBA will probably try to push it off as another one of those "illegal gambling issues." However ignoring the real truths that the sports betting industry in the United States is being pushed underground where the opportunity for criminal elements to grow is in deed a fact.
Since the inception of online gaming companies in the 1990's and its incredible growth these offshore books and poker rooms were forced to clean up their acts and provide quality services to the many hundreds of thousands of online gamblers. Millions of dollars have been spent in technology to provide a safe and secure online betting experience.
Pursing the UIGEA will only increase the criminal element of sports betting and there will be no protection for the foolhardy gambler who chooses to use their corner bookie.
Legalization of online gambling as a whole would help to insure a user safe experience for wood be gamblers across the country. Monies made from these legalized ventures would return into the US economy and the taxation of online gambling would bolster new programs in the United States. Specifically the Veterans Affairs who in April/07 has mentioned that these taxes could benefit the returning vets from the Iraq war.
While the rest of the world looks upon this new age of gaming with eyes wide open the United States is still taking an archaic approach. Prohibition didn't work in the 30's and it certainly won't work in the 21 century.