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Feb

6

Americans and Canadians - What They Think of Internet Gambling

To have more awareness whether Internet gambling should be banned altogether, regulated by the government, or permitted without government regulation, two recent surveys conducted with the leading global survey-based market research company, Ipsos, owned and managed by research professionals, Canadians and Americans have misconception when it comes to the legality of Internet Gambling. This survey was conducted to both Canadians and Americans via Online Panel as part of Canada/US lottery survey. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Long before until now, the mere fact that internet gambling is illegal in some states in US and in Canada as well. People must be aware of this unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 doubtful assertion that Internet gambling is a growing problem for banks and credit card companies. Gambling businesses are generally prohibited from accepting bets or wagers over the Internet. It correctly states that new mechanisms for enforcing gambling laws on the Internet are necessary, especially cross-border betting. They are only on money rather than of gambling itself. Online gambling is an industry that’s virtually unregulated, because unlike real-world casinos in the U.S., virtual casinos are operated offshore. Some credit card companies, under pressure from the government, have begun to reject transactions between customers and online casinos, but their measures aren’t foolproof.

The first survey was conducted and shows that almost 70% of Canadians (n=1361)1 believed that gambling online is considered to be legal likewise, 59% of Americans (n=1010)2 favor on this legality. Similar results on the second poll resulted on similar awareness levels in Canada (73% n=1247)3, but indicated slightly fewer Americans (55%) believe that gambling over the Internet is considered to be legal (n=1403)4. In general, the result shows that Americans appears to be more interested in relation to Internet gambling. It’s not where you live but when you were born brings you great impact on this social issue. Older Americans and Canadians aging 55 years and above are more supportive of Internet gambling prohibition believing that the federal government should regulate this activity over state or provincial governments, otherwise, young adults aging 18-34 were more supportive of both regulated and unregulated Internet gambling. The intense battle for primary elections between Republicans and Democratic across the nation is one of possible reasons for the awareness of American minors pertaining on this issue. There is a clear difference of opinion between age groups (18-34, 35-54, and 55+), with the Canadian and US responses to the poll also exhibiting some interesting differences. One final issue that was addressed in this recent polling was to inquire as to which arm of government should regulate Internet gaming if it were to be legal.

Overall awareness of its legality is fraught with uncertainty while acceptance of internet gambling tied closely to age. Research has consistently revealed a negative relationship between age and acceptability of gaming activities. Age is the matter on this issue. Teen problem gambling rates are two to four times the rate of adults. Gambling addiction captures young people and changes the way that they think. We need to be aware that adolescents gamble, just as adults do.