You switch on your computer, log in to your favorite online poker site, enter a room for stakes, and then you are into the world of online poker wagering. Most of these sites do not have any age restrictions as long as you are able to fund your account, you can wager and play. Youngsters between the age of 18 and 21 are getting to such online poker websites and make money. Question is whether these online poker sites destroying today’s youth? Are these websites promoting underage gambling and hence making the youngsters getting addicted to it? There are many who think that these websites are spoiling today’s youth. Some of their reasons are: Easy to fund accounts: these online poker website do not put any age restrictions on people who are gambling at their website. They are not at all bothered because they are able to make some good money from these youngsters who are putting their money using their credit cards, parent’s credit cards, bank transfers, and 3rd party eWallet intermediaries. Local laws not enforced: There are no state laws that restrict the operations of these websites. Lack of money management skills: you just make a click of a mouse and you are on the way to losing your home. Someone who does not have money management skills falls into deeper financial trap and that also in a short period of time. Money give away: Most of the youngsters are using their pocket money or their lunch money to gamble? This money should have been used for some reasonable purpose but its all getting drained to these online poker websites. Obsession: Online poker has now become an obsession for many people. They don’t want to do anything but to get glued in front of their computer and spend their money. They don’t have the time to spend with their family, friends and kill their study time or school work.
These are all valid concerns. But this is one side of the coin. There are proponents of online gambling arguing with the following points. Freedom of speech: there should be no prohibition on the freedom of speech. Everyone has the right to do what they want to do and how they want to spend their money. Youth gambling detection: some of the online reputable poker websites have sophisticated checks in place to ensure that they are not giving the access to underage gamblers. Hypocrisy: there are many jurisdictions that permit underage gamblers to take part in online lotteries and online fantasy sports pools, which are often played for wager. In summary, regulation of online poker universally would result in the ability to formally administer age detection safeguards, which would eliminate the youth from gambling online. Although this may not be 100 % foolproof, it will go along way to preserving and protecting today’s youth from the potential destruction forces of online gambling, and is certainly the best compromise that can be achieved.