The Legalization of Internet Gambling: A Consumer Protection Perspective

The complexities of Internet gambling limit congressional efforts to regulate its growth. Therefore, legislative attempts to prohibit Internet gaming may undermine the protection mechanisms that were designed to help people who are susceptible to the social and economic problems linked to gambling. The authors suggest that congressional efforts to prohibit Internet gambling should be reassessed, and they recommend the legalization and regulation of Internet gambling through existing land-based casinos. Finally, the authors present the regulatory guidelines and cooperative policy initiatives that are necessary for such a proposition.