Land Based Casinos Want a Piece of the Cake
22 April 2007
It was largely believed that behind the decision to ban any sort of online gambling within the US was a result of insistent lobbying by the established gambling industry that already thrives in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The rational was that the accessible, 24/7 available and user friendly online form of gambling would keep Americans from visiting these cities and other land based casino. This was a much larger concern due to the fact that the online casinos were not American companies and often located in countries outside of the US. Hence the online gambling ban. But what explains the recent developments?
In recent weeks there was noticed a new trend in the US, in which land based casinos have lobbied for the legalization of online gambling. Those who were first in calling for the ban are now prepared, in fact interested in their return to the market. The idea, most likely, is that the land based casinos, those world-famous institutions in Las Vegas and elsewhere would be favored, by enjoying a preferable starting position, either due to the market?s nature or with the government?s involvement, in owning and operating the new online casino industry.
Interestingly, while online casinos still operated in the US, none were owned or operated by land based casinos. In the next stage of online gambling, if this indeed manifests itself, will be just such. The positive approach by land based casinos, practically embracing online casinos, will assure a positive market develops. Furthermore, trusted operations with world wide reputation will assure gamblers? protection and trust. It is unclear as of yet if online casinos will return to the US and if so, will the competition from abroad be blocked or even regulated in any limiting way. It is clear, however, that the demand is high and the industry must act on it.
22 April 2007
It was largely believed that behind the decision to ban any sort of online gambling within the US was a result of insistent lobbying by the established gambling industry that already thrives in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The rational was that the accessible, 24/7 available and user friendly online form of gambling would keep Americans from visiting these cities and other land based casino. This was a much larger concern due to the fact that the online casinos were not American companies and often located in countries outside of the US. Hence the online gambling ban. But what explains the recent developments?
In recent weeks there was noticed a new trend in the US, in which land based casinos have lobbied for the legalization of online gambling. Those who were first in calling for the ban are now prepared, in fact interested in their return to the market. The idea, most likely, is that the land based casinos, those world-famous institutions in Las Vegas and elsewhere would be favored, by enjoying a preferable starting position, either due to the market?s nature or with the government?s involvement, in owning and operating the new online casino industry.
Interestingly, while online casinos still operated in the US, none were owned or operated by land based casinos. In the next stage of online gambling, if this indeed manifests itself, will be just such. The positive approach by land based casinos, practically embracing online casinos, will assure a positive market develops. Furthermore, trusted operations with world wide reputation will assure gamblers? protection and trust. It is unclear as of yet if online casinos will return to the US and if so, will the competition from abroad be blocked or even regulated in any limiting way. It is clear, however, that the demand is high and the industry must act on it.
