Benefits Of Legalizing Gambling In The USA
The benefits of gambling to an individual are obvious – they get to engage in their favorite pastime without worrying about bad actors. However, to states, the issue is a bit more skewed. Especially in the more Christian-morality governed states, like Alabama and Utah, there is significant resistance to the idea of gambling regulation and approval.
There are several major benefits to regulating online gambling. The first is that you bring the industry into the light – plenty of people offer gambling currently, and not all of them are reputable. Regulations would keep gamblers safe from bad actors. The second major benefit of gambling regulation at the state level is increased revenue. This revenue is often used to offset the perceived moral costs of gambling regulation, going into education funds in many states.
Bovada - Top Legal Gambling Site
Bovada features many online gambling options, from poker to blackjack to slots. Bovada is also legal to use in 45 states. One interesting feature of Bovada is that since it is international, revenue from Bovada leaves the US. This is a case study in why more gambling regulations are important. States need to be able to compete with Bovada in terms of offering a good solution for gamblers to use, but right now, Bovada is simply ahead of the pack.
Best Online Casinos
Upsides Of Regulation: Safety
Safety is one major upside to regulating gambling in the US. Currently, there are plenty of safe places to gamble, like Bovada and Ignition. However, there are also some places that are not safe to gamble, like your local bookie. This means that there are going to be people who end up gambling with unsafe places, and getting into bad situations. Regulating gambling forces the shadier members of the market out of the way, as regulated and reputable organizations take their place.
Upsides Of Regulation: Revenue
Revenue is the major reason that most states look into regulating gambling in the first place. For the states, it’s almost like found money. Basically, it’s a source of revenue that does not come from doing something unpopular, like raising property taxes. This allows lawmakers to claim they are concerned with the budget, while also not actually passing the costs on to the people that put them in office. Instead, the costs are passed on to those who participate in the gambling market, which many people find more acceptable thanks to the voluntary nature of that participation. Gambling revenue is enormous, and it can definitely keep states afloat.
Downsides Of Regulation: The Regressive Nature Of Gambling
The voluntary nature of gambling participation, and the tendency for the majority of gamblers to not be wealthy, means that the actual transfer of wealth, in real terms, is almost always going from the poorer people in a state to the wealthier ones. The fact is, poor people gamble more than rich people, and so gambling often ends up in practice taking money from the poor people it was supposed to help with the programs it funds.
Downsides Of Regulation: Addiction
Gambling addiction is a major issue, and problem gambling is something that can destroy lives. Many states are leery of regulating gambling for fear of being seen as tacitly approving something of this nature. For this reason, many states devote a portion of the proceeds from gambling towards problem gambling prevention programs.
The Legality Of The World Series Of Poker
The World Series of Poker takes place in Nevada, which is famously a hub for gambling, historically. It can operate thanks to Nevada’s lax laws on gambling, which includes poker. Nevada allows many forms of gambling, and one of those allowed aspects is poker. The World Series Of Poker also hosts events in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, two other states that have carved out space in their regulations for poker to be allowed.