[karen]

CARSON CITY, Nevada (AP) -- A gambling industry survey shows that people who use the Internet to place their bets tend to be affluent and educated -- a finding that could help advocates of a federal law change to legalize such wagering.

Release of the American Gaming Association survey on Monday follows the Washington, D-C.-based casino trade group's recent call for a congressional study of Internet gambling now that other countries, including Great Britain, are moving to authorize online betting.

Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., AGA president, said the group has opposed legalization of Internet gambling in the past "because regulators were opposed to it, and we're the strongest supporters of tough regulation."

"But the technology has changed greatly, and now Great Britain is legalizing online gambling -- and we're saying that Congress ought to take a look at (online gambling)," Fahrenkopf said.

"A lot of the opponents have been saying that the people who gamble on the Internet are the ones who can least afford it," he added. "But look at this survey. It shows they tend to be more educated and have more money than other people."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/05/09/gambling.ap/index.html

seems like online betting is really going to go a long long way...

[Lynn]

I can see that people that couldn't really afford it would or more to the point couldn't bet online.

I can only speak for the UK but people that are not 'affluent' find it incredibly hard (thanks to the credit scoring system over here) to get a credit or debit card. And not having used the internet to gamble I am assuming it would be a requirement.

Plus (and this is only my opinion) most people on low incomes enjoy going to the bookies, and tracks etc. as it is a social event. They wouldn't be members of casino's, which limits the games they can bet on or play.They tend to bet on sporting events like Soccer or more likely greyhound or horse racing.

The article is interesting but purely as it shows the establishments adversion to anything new. They really don't know handle the new technology.

[Thumperfive]

the biggest problem with online betting is that it's virtual cash in your mind, so you can spend and overspend without seeing what's happening - suddenly your credit card is maxed out and you have nothing to show for it! At least in a real casino or betting parlor you see the cash flow...

[karen]

That is a good point. Concrete cash on hand is still the best counter of anything that goes out of your pocket. Besides, it is a good reminder for you to stop betting when you need to because you can determine your budget for that day.

[Thumperfive]

well, that's the problem of gambling addiction - you don't realise how much you've lost until its' all gone, and how much easier is it to lose money when it's virtual money on a credit card?

there's a reason why those little poker chips came into existence.. so that you don't recognise them as real money until it's all gone!

[JTingly]

Man, i never saw gambling that way. Well i sort of did, but i espcially like what you said about the poker chips. But everyones number one priority should be control and play safe. For me, i always fold when i have a bad hand if im playing with a lot of good experienced players.