Gambling Times - Player's Guide

Roberts’ Rules
by Stanley Roberts

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
George Santayana

The Spanish born US philosopher who penned these words lived nearly 90 years passing on the year I entered college. They're some of the wisest words I know. They apply aptly to the current activity in Congress to ban internet gambling. They apply just as well to this magazine.

For those who know our history: first published in 1977, out of print for 1 ½ years in 1988, reborn as WIN magazine in 1990, victim of the Northridge earthquake in 1994, and now, re-launched in 2001; you might say this is our third time around the block. We do know where the publishing potholes are, and, will steer clear. One problem we have never had is bringing you the very best editorial product possible. In our absence we have noted a plethora of new periodicals, yet a dearth of quality gaming journalism. The huge growth of the gaming industry in the past decade has broadened the opportunity for more periodicals. Sometimes more is not better. We arise today to change all that.

Although I have not written a column in over seven years, I have carefully observed the gaming scene. The growth of gaming in general, and internet gaming in particular, has been phenomenal. Somehow, the Pandora's box of "betting on the internet" has miraculously opened, and, no one, not even the Congress of the United States of America, has the power to close the lid. Even if they could close it, the "cat is out of the bag," and won't go back into the box.

Attempts to ban an activity as widespread as internet gambling, with no operators of such located in the USA, are doomed to failure. Is the government going to monitor every computer in the land…I think not. Can the US government enforce their laws in another country…not if the other country won't co-operate. Do the congressmen who wish to exercise a form of parental guidance upon us believe we respect them like our fathers… far from it. So many of our leaders have recently shown us their "feet of clay," it's a wonder how any of them dare to exert moral leadership.

Haven't we learned the lessons of History? Perhaps there are so few people left who personally lived through Prohibition, that we have collectively lost the wisdom of not legislating morality. Enforcing Prohibition was so onerous we had to repeal the very constitutional amendment the zealots encouraged us to pass. Have these same zealots been reincarnated as our distinguished members of Congress?? Trying to enforce an activity that takes place in our homes, not in public, and is operated in another country goes way beyond a law as simple as "No alcohol may be served."

Look now to the drug problem in America. How well have we done to eliminate and control this menace…not well! Indeed, not at all. And that problem is far more serious then any imagined negative effect uncontrolled gambling can visit upon a human being and society. What chance will our law enforcement agents have against policing foreign businesses - legal in their country, but banned in ours… no chance.

Are our Distinguished Gentlemen knowledgeable regarding the internet and its potential… nay, not so. Will legislation to ban one internet activity open the door to banning others… absolutely. It is my opinion that the internet, by opening communications between all people, everywhere, is the greatest tool for world peace and human enlightenment, progress and improvement ever. It is the herald of mankind's longed for Messianic Age. Allowing short sighted, well-intentioned lawmakers to destroy the potential of the internet, could well be the human race's greatest tragedy in two millennia. Does Pontius Pilate live again… as a congressman?

The answer to internet gambling is not to ban the activity… it is to regulate it. Until recently, it was not possible to easily regulate internet activity. This was principally because most people, including our unenlightened congressmen, believe that one can be anonymous on the internet…one can disguise his address and location from the recipient of a communication. I'm here to tell you otherwise.

Today it is possible, through existing software that knows exactly where the sender is located physically, to prevent the citizens of one state from gambling electronically in another. One such vendor of this product is called Virtgame.com corporation. I have spoken recently to Bruce Merati, COO of this company that is located in San Diego. You can see just how this works by going to: www.virtsecure.net. Within seconds your location will appear at the top of the screen.

So, how can internet gambling be regulated. Keeping in mind the fact that your physical location can be determined by a properly equipped computer along the chain of home gambler to internet casino, read the next page, and be enlightened.

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