The Global Online Gambling Market
Although the legality of online gambling is a heated topic, it has not been entirely resolved. While the Federal Wire Act prohibits all forms of online gambling, there are some states that have made these activities legal. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, passed in 2006, restricts banks from transacting with unlicensed internet-based gambling sites. Previously, it was widely believed that the Wire Act prohibited all forms of online gambling, including online lottery sites and casinos.
The development of technology has led to many loopholes in legislation. Some countries, including Canada and Finland, do not grant licenses to foreign online casino operators. As a result, these governments cannot prosecute online gambling companies. Instead, they can only block foreign sites that do not comply with local laws. This leaves players in these countries at a disadvantage and does not protect them from being harmed by unlicensed gambling sites.
The growth of the market is expected to be driven by the growing popularity of internet-based services. In addition, the popularity of virtual currencies such as bitcoin is expected to increase demand in the region. As a result, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13% during the forecast period. Furthermore, countries like China and India are gaining prominence in the market due to high-speed networks and cheap internet data.
Some people may argue that federal law prohibits online gambling. However, these arguments have not been successful. The Commerce Clause and the First Amendment guarantee of free speech have provided little support to such claims. The commercial nature of the gambling industry has also stifled these objections. Due process arguments also fail, as financial transactions are involved.