Online Casinos Just Don't Seem to Care
The online casinos gambling industry is one of those ethically ambiguous areas –
the company’s make enormous profits off of the gamblers (some of whom are even
problem gamblers) and yet a handful of the companies are stingy about
voluntarily giving back into social programs. There are, naturally, exceptions
to this statement, but there is a gray area of companies operating in the online
casinos gambling industry with no obligations to the players and communities
affected by internet gambling.
The European Gaming Commission passed new regulations in 2005 that actually took
effect just this past September. Part of these new regulations were stipulations
related to online casinos and internet gambling companies choosing responsible
gambling practices without the Commission setting specifics. In particular, the
internet gambling companies were required to voluntarily contribute to a problem
gambling fund that would then support social programs like hotlines and new
research on helping problem gamblers. Shockingly, the Commission has reported
that many online casinos chose to either not contribute any company profits into
the fund, or instead contributed piddling amounts that does not nearly add up to
what the Commission was anticipating the companies would donate.
That is flat-out unacceptable for online casinos gambling companies to take such
non-interest in those negatively affected by internet gambling. As for the
companies that are doing their part, Betsson has recently announced a new
problem gambling research program that will surely generate needed information
in the coming years. And Slotland is very actively involved in providing help to
poverty stricken regions of the world. These companies are an example of where
the online gambling industry ought to be headed considering the sheer amount of
profits some of these companies are making yearly. |