Big Dealer is Watching You
Illinois gambling
Illinois debate on online legalization brings up technological issues.
The debate about legalizing online gambling in Illinois has highlighted the matter of technology from a different perspective.
As some of the state’s Democratic lawmakers headed by Sen. Terry Link push ahead with plans for a new law allowing brick-and-mortar casinos and traditional racing tracks to operate gambling websites, some of the usual arguments are flung about, pro and con.
Proponents insist that legalization is needed to keep gambling revenues at home and face the reality that online gambling is happening. They also point out that Illinois was the first US state to start selling lottery tickets through the internet.
Opponents on the other hand warn of problem gambling and the threat of underage gamblers, as online blackjack, poker, roulette and other games become available to a potentially wider range of players than before.
An often overlooked aspect of technology has, however, been emphasized very strongly by legalization supporters and regulators alike. Namely, that a mobile casino software is a two way street. Not only does it deliver the gaming experience to the players’ fingertips, it also allows a kind of monitoring that matches or even exceeds that, which is possible in brick-and-mortar establishments.
The difference between playing in a casino and online is thus not only in the ease of access for the player, but also in the ease of access to the player.
While an underage gambler sitting in front of a casino slot machine may look old enough to play, online gambling can have identification requirements that determine a player’s eligibility in very exact terms.
Similarly, data on player behavior may be gathered online to assist in screening for signs of addiction in a way that would simply be impossible in a land-based casino. Of course this requires appropriate legislation to allow the appropriate use to the data gathered.
Looking at technological progress and internet gambling from this point of view has the potential to alleviate many concerns and lessen opposition to legalized online gambling in Illinois and other states.
