'Anyone who spends any time on the Internet these days becomes all too familiar with opportunities to play Texas hold �em and other forms of online poker and gambling. There�s no escaping the advertisements and spam e-mail.

The ads themselves are nuisances that have helped drive the growing spam-blocker industry. But the gambling itself is far more serious. Many Americans may not be aware that online gambling is illegal and is currently driven by off-shore entities. One report estimated that in 2005 Americans bet $5.9 billion via Internet gambling.

Supporters of gambling respond with a collective shrug and an accusation that opponents are ruining the harmless fun. They view gambling as innocent entertainment�laissez les bon temps roulez! Nevertheless, while the live-and-let-live ethos always strikes a responsive chord among Americans, this perspective on gambling is tragically flawed.

What�s wrong with Internet gambling? The answer gambling analysts have given is ABC: Addiction, Bankruptcy and Crime."

Get the Story:
Charmaine Yoest: Internet Poker Shouldn't Be Legalized (Human Events Online 3/27)