Could modern day become the good old days?- Cuba Gambling 3

Now this is all exciting Al Capone stuff, and of course, we don’t want a worldwide mafia-run gaming industry. But the fact of the matter is; we do need some form of regulation which will, if nothing else, stop our game from being interrupted.

Evidence of gambling has been dated to around 2000BC. Gambling has always been around and it always will, because there’s a demand. We like it. We want it. So please; whether its horses, casino games or poker, just let us just play.

Over the past few years, as online gamblers we’ve suffered from withheld funds, frozen online poker accounts and total abolishment. And worst of all: uncertainty.

All over the world, there’s been endless upheaval and rash decision making. Online gaming businesses have been hit with so many rules and regulations; they are fighting tooth and nail to stay on top of the latest decrees to prevent lawsuits and keep players happy – or to allow players to have access at all.

From the proposed 15 month blackout period in America, to advertising restrictions in the UK and Germany and licensing laws in France and Italy, current gambling legislation is a mess.

So will it ever end (with or without the help of Batista) – and will it be on a global scale?

Well, I’m hopeful…or at least, as hopeful as you can be when you’re talking about governments and money.

Now, my mates may think that a unified, global approach would be best – but in reality, how would it be possible?

There are too many racial, social and economical differences. Each country would find something in a unified approach that went against their own country’s interests. It’d force corruption. It’d probably start a war.

So, credit where credit’s due: Batista’s localised regulatory approach seems to be the way forward.

Even the PPA recognizes the value of a localized approach:

“…upon significant analysis, review and reflection, (of the current US blackout proposal) we believe that the long- term benefits of this bill to the poker community make the blackout period a bitter pill we have to swallow. Our goal is to establish a permanent, safe and regulated U.S. online poker market, similar to the European regulatory markets…”

So, if the PPA is right, it’s not Cuba in bygone times that we should be looking towards; it’s modern day Europe.

Think about it…

Italy has been leading the way for the last four years when it comes to online gaming, standing out with new regulatory approaches towards remote gaming. Indeed, like in Batista’s and Castro’s time, the main reasons behind the reforms were mounting political pressure, external licensing corruption and a budget deficit.

But (thankfully) they haven’t turned to gangsters to sort it out. And overall, Italy seems to be providing a decent model; one which other countries can adapt to their (and, as a result, their players’) needs. Take France and Denmark, for example. They are now willing to open up the gaming market while maintaining power over licensing and taxation – with Italy as their shining example.

Of course, you can’t ever please everyone and no one likes tax – except for the government and especially dictators! But it will help to create a steadier gaming industry and should also help towards the current economical crisis.

So – no global solution looks to be in the pipeline any time soon. But it’s on its way. And right now, the whole world is looking towards Europe to lead the way.

Will it be successful? I can’t guarantee that but think about it; if each country takes control of its own gambling regulation, then there’ll be plenty of models which other governments can use and improve upon.

It may be a pain in the hole, but in the long run, it’s got to be better, right?

So, do we need to take a leaf out of Batista’s book? Increased government corruption, no thanks: but a smooth approach to regulation – yes please…and soon!

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