We believe that the most responsible and logical public policy is for governments throughout the world to regulate online gambling rather than attempt to prohibit it. This is the course of action taken in Antigua, as well as in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia, just to name a few countries that sanction and regulate remote gambling.

The online gambling industry has developed into a very large and mature industry. There are hundreds of large online gambling operators who offer services to millions of gamblers located throughout the world. Recent studies estimate that annual gross revenues, or the “gross win,” within the online gambling industry exceeds several billion dollars.

A majority of gambling industry experts and scholars believe the most prudent course of action for any government or country considering this issue is to carefully consider how to regulate, tax, and control online gambling, rather than seek ineffective ways to ban it. With proper regulatory and enforcement mechanisms in place, remote gambling is a more secure, fair, and responsible form of gambling than existing land-based gambling. In the appropriate regulatory environment, there are simply no legitimate concerns about money laundering, organized crime, underage gambling or problem gambling associated with remote gambling.

The AOGA is committed to presenting credible facts and information that supports this view. While we appreciate that there are some people who are morally opposed to gambling, and that there is a very small portion of the adult population who will have problems when exposed to gambling, we are convinced that the only sensible and effective policy is to promptly regulate remote gambling.

Money Laundering

Myth: Online gambling is more susceptible to money laundering than land-based gambling.

Fact: There is no credible evidence of money laundering associated with online gambling. Land-based gambling in venues such as casinos and race tracks is more susceptible to money laundering than online gambling.

Gambling Addiction

Myth: Online gambling presents greater risks of addiction and abusive gambling.

Fact: Scholarly and scientific evidence does not support this claim. Online gambling can be better monitored to avoid problem gambling than traditional forms of land-based gambling. Traditional gambling devices, such as slot machines in casinos or video lottery machines at race tracks, are either as, or even more, addictive than online gambling.

Underage Gambling

Myth: Online gambling is more likely to attract underage gambling than land-based gambling.

Fact: This is not correct. While underage gambling has been a persistent concern at land-based casinos and lotteries, or with underground American bookies who take bets on credit, the same is not true with online gambling.

Existence of Online Gambling in the United States

Myth: Online gambling does not exist in the United States.

Fact: Americans can freely and openly place bets via their computers, televisions or telephones. The United States sanctions remote gambling on horse racing and the State of Nevada, for instance, sanctions remote gambling within Nevada. Other states intend to follow Nevada's lead in a new phase of gambling expansion in the United States.

Consumer Protection

Myth: Online gambling is unfair to bettors.

Fact: This is not true. Online gambling regulations in nations such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and Antigua ensure that consumers are treated fairly and the games are completely honest.

Placing Bets Online Today

Myth: It is illegal to place a bet in the United States.

Fact: This is not true in the majority of states. There is no federal law which criminalizes the placement of a bet by a bettor. This holds true in the majority of states; although there are some states which do criminalize betting.

Regulation of Online Gambling

Myth: Online gambling is not capable of being regulated.

Fact: This is not true. Online gambling is successfully regulated in many parts of the world, so it can obviously be regulated in the United States. The countries which permit and regulate online gambling include: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Antigua, and interestingly, even the United States itself. The State of Nevada permits and regulates online sportsbooks for Nevada residents and visitors. the State of Nevada is also in the process of issuing regulations for other forms of remote gambling.

Betting on Sports

Myth: Regulated sports gambling threatens the character and integrity of sporting events.

Fact: No one has a greater interest in keeping the games honest than legitimate bookmakers. Regulated bookmakers have successfully worked with the sports leagues and law enforcement officials to ensure games are fair and honest.

Federal Government on Gambling

Myth: The United States federal government is opposed to gambling.

Fact: The United States federal government owns and operates casinos at military installations in other countries. As an owner and operator of casinos, the federal government can hardly be said to be anti-gambling.

States on Gambling

Myth: The individual states are opposed to gambling.

Fact: This is not correct. Gambling is legal in 48 of 50 states. The individual states not only regulate and license gambling, they also own the largest gambling operations in the world – state lotteries. There are 41 state lotteries in the United States.

International Trade Obligations for Gambling Services

Myth: The United States is not obligated to allow foreign gambling operators to access the American gambling market.

Fact: The World Trade Organization ruled in 2005 that the United States is in violation of its international trade commitments by attempting to block foreign gambling operators from the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda from offering Internet and telephone gambling services to Americans. The United States is therefore required to allow access to Antigua operators and has until April 2006 to do so.