New Report: Inernet Gambling Does Not Lead to Problem Gambling

[JeffreyS]

Here is a press release that we just put out. It should help respond to opponents of legalized online gambling who claim that regulation will lead to an increase in problem gambling.

Jeffrey Sandman
Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative
www.safeandsecureir.org

New Report: Regulated Internet Gambling Does Not Lead to Increase in Problem Gambling

U.K. survey shows rate of problem gambling remains unchanged since 1999

September 19, 2007 – A report released today by the U.K. Gambling Commission, which regulates Internet gambling in Britain, reveals that problem gambling has not increased over the last eight years despite the availability of Internet gambling. The British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007 found that the rates of problem gambling were 0.6 percent and 0.5 percent of the gambling population, the same percentage of problem gamblers as reported in the last gambling participation survey conducted in 1999.

“The Commission’s report shows that Internet gambling opponents are using scare tactics to argue that regulated Internet gambling will result in an increase in compulsive gambling,” said Jeffrey Sandman, spokesman for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative. “The reality is that regulated Internet gambling, which is clearly working in the U.K., can offer better controls and protection for underage and vulnerable gamblers in the U.S.”

The Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, proposed by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), would protect U.S. consumers by establishing a regulatory and enforcement framework to combat compulsive and underage gambling. Safeguards that have proven effective in protecting against problem gambling include the ability to control the amount of money wagered, set limits on amounts deposited, restrict the duration that somebody can play, identify and stop players whose gambling patterns seem out of the ordinary and allow for consumers to be excluded from online gambling.

About Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative
The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative promotes the freedom of individuals to gamble online with the proper safeguards to protect consumers and ensure the integrity of financial transactions. For more information on the Initiative, please visit www.safeandsecureig.org. The Web site provides a means by which individuals can register support for regulated Internet gambling with their elected representatives.

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