In the United States, gambling statistics reveal that live and online gambling has generated around $91 billion each year (as of 2006). The is accountable for billions more in related tourist income in addition to the economic benefit of hundreds of thousands of jobs. In certain states, gambling through lotteries is even used to boost money for college scholarships or much-needed infrastructure projects.
As it pertains to the gambling statistics related as to the kinds of games Americans are playing, there can be some surprises. While commercial casinos still consume the largest share of legal gambling revenue (43% in 2000), and lotteries take second place (28% in 2000), online gambling is estimated to create in an amount that is roughly equal as to the is spent in Indian casinos each year. As the net reaches more homes, so does online gambling. And unfortunately, so do some of the possible negative side effects.
Individuals who oppose gambling in general believe that it brings higher crime rates to an area. Of course, this isn’t entitled to online gambling, unless you consider the likelihood of your financial information being misused or hacked. But this risk isn’t any greater with online gambling than with online shopping or bill paying.
What is a problem is compulsive gambling. Some statistics on online gambling show that about ½ of 1% of the population may have a problem with compulsive gambling. True compulsive gambling means that the person cannot control their impulse to help make the next bet, even though they are risking their job, home, health, or relationships. And United States gambling statistics show that folks are two times as likely to become addicted to gambling when a casino is found within 50 miles of the home. With the advent of online casinos, there’s no more any true distance at all between a gambler and a casino, meaning more folks have the potential to become addicted to their favorite online gambling game at a higher rate than to call home gambling or playing the lottery. It’s lead opponents of online gaming to call it the ‘crack cocaine’ of the gambling world.
This issue includes a serious impact for individuals who suffer from it, with compulsive gambling statistics showing that around 48% of the members of Gamblers Anonymous have considered suicide. And of these, significantly more than 10% report having made a suicide attempt.
Plus, some opponents fear that there’s a great deal of chance for money laundering and organized crime via online casinos. Since the US doesn’t allow any one of them to be located in the country, companies have create shop in foreign countries with questionable, if any, regulations. Some fear that US online gamblers might be unknowingly causing criminal activity.