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Lacking Social Norms

A research duo from the University of Western Ontario and the University of Nevada released a study that indicates that there are more inherent dangers associated with online casino gambling because of the lack of social norms in the industry. Canadian professor June Cotte and Kathryn A. Latour, from UN’s Las Vegas campus both carried out a research study that specifically compares online gambling at land venues versus gambling at the online casinos. And while the results of their industry could be used as a strong argument against legalizing and regulating internet gambling in either Canada or the United States, the researchers see the results as an opportunity to create social norms in the industry.

The study specifically contrasted twenty regular land casino gamblers and ten regular online gamblers. They were shown images and studied to understand the impetus behind their gambling habit and the feelings they associate with gambling – more pointedly, how both are perceived by the gamblers themselves. Online casino gambling is hotly debated in both the Canadian and U.S. gambling industries and this research really benefits both sides although the researchers feel the results point to a need to better license and regulate the industry – make the pastime less taboo.

Cotte notes, “The unregulated online environment results in a more chaotic environment with no clear social norms and rules," said Cotte. "The meaning of gambling changes, moving from a shared conviviality available in the casino to a no-holds-barred battle online. It brings out the gamblers' more competitive side.” Internet gambling definitely carries the risks associated with problem and underage gamblers, but the researchers assert that through licensing legitimate companies already established in the gambling industry and using advanced technology to block underage gamblers the U.S. and Canada have a unique opportunity to augment the perceptions of internet gamblers and perhaps even lessen the more aggressive tendencies associated with gambling in an unregulated environment.