Recent research from Canada's University of Lethbridge shows the prevalence of problem gambling is three to four times higher among Internet gamblers than other gamblers.
Yet, some congressional Democrats are pushing to legalize online gambling in the U.S., as they try to repeal the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). The 2006 act stopped U.S. payments to foreign Internet gambling operations.
Dr. Guy Clark, chairman of Stop Predatory Gambling, called Internet gambling a perfect storm.
“You stick (it) in someone’s home, where a lot of inhibitions sort of fade away," he said. "They don’t have people looking over their shoulder. They’re not worried about getting home. They’re not worried about whether they’ll have enough money when they get through to fill the gas tank.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit the Issue Analysis Web site.
— Roger Greer
