Online gambling is being regulated differently across various countries, some of the most important include the United States, the United Kingdom, and India.
Additionally, internet gambling has grown in popularity over the years, under both minors and adults. Regulation, therefore, is of the essence for (among others) the safety and protection of underage gamblers who are taking a liking to this way of spending free time. But how does the public of these different core markets react to these regulations?
In this article, we will be discussing the public opinion on online gambling safety measures for different important countries.
UK Public in Support of the Online Gaming Safety Measures
The support shown by the public towards the under-18s and the £2 limit for the online slot machines should encourage the government to institute additional strict safety measures if we care about the safety of the future generation.
According to the Gambling Health Alliance (GHA), only eight percent of the punters and five percent of non-punters are opposed to the £2 limit for the online slot machines, according to the Gambling Health Alliance (GHA).
With the pandemic halting education programs and children staying at home for longer, online slot machines have become the place to spend more time. Additionally, the lockdowns have led to more punters turning to online slot machines.
Both Gamblers and Non-Gamblers Have a Say
The front-line people also said that there is little defiance to prohibit VIP schemes, which could lure punters into staking more than they planned. However, there must be sufficient research and proof of the level of harm before this levy in the gambling industry can be enforced.
Many of the punters and non-punters supported the ban of all the gambling advertising activities in areas near sporting grounds or any checks where punters can gamble.
57 percent of gamblers and 63 percent of non-punters support the idea to ban all gambling activities for the underage – that is 18 years old and below. The 18-year-olds can find the low-stake machines, crane grabs, and coin pushes that can lure them into an obsession with gambling while still young.
What the US Public is Saying About Online Gambling Safety
The United States also has a series of gambling laws to enhance online gambling safety measures. There’s the Federal Wire Act, which is still the most popular to regulate online gambling.
Other laws enhance the safety of gamblers in the US. For example, the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIEGA) bans online gambling companies from accepting funds, except in those states that have legalized online gambling.
The US public is also against the lifting of the ban on online gambling and is calling for a ban or regulation to guarantee the safety of the younger generation and other punters.
In a survey carried out by Statista, 41 percent of respondents disagree with the legalization of online gambling in several states.
In another report by prnews, only four out of ten Americans view online gambling as morally acceptable in society. This is a clear indication that the US public isn’t supporting the legalization of online gambling and if there’s such legalization, then it must be regulated.
India’s Online Gambling Fate
In India, younger people are more likely to indulge in online gambling than any other group. This is why online gambling safety measures will play a significant role in India’s gambling industry.
Approximately 45 percent of Indian gamblers are between 18 and 24 years 32 percent are between 25 and 34 years old. There’s more harm to this group of gamblers than you can imagine and this is why there’s a need to enact more robust online gambling regulations.
The government has played a significant role in ensuring that there’s an age restriction for those who are eligible to bet. In India, you must have attained the age of 21 to take part in online gambling. There are also live casino games that you can play, but you must play responsibly – within your limits.
There have been several amendments by different states, such as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. And according to recent reports, Maharashtra is planning on legalizing and regulating online gambling.
Up to this point, there’s not much clarity about the new laws that will come up. What’s clear, though, is that discussions are ongoing to regulate online gambling in most Indian states and that new regulations will soon be introduced.
With online gambling in India growing in popularity, the plans to legalize and regulate it have commenced throughout the country. The best of all is that public opinion favors the move to legalize and regulate it for more safety, even as they wager their money.
Online Gambling Has Adverse Effects
According to Louisa Mason, the spokesperson of GHA, the gambling industry has grown in popularity and there are very high chances that it could influence and possibly undermine vulnerable people’s finances. She emphasized the need to do better and protect punters, which the public now supports.
The public now suggests the government should put more robust rules to protect the population from the negative effects of gambling. Consultations are still ongoing among the Department of digital, culture, media, and sports and will be due before the end of this month.
