|
|
|
| | | November 27 - It looks as though the Scandinavian country of Norway has
more in common with the United States then previously thought, with news that
the Norwegian government looks set to pass a law banning online gambling using
the same techniques as US authorities.
Norway's Minister for Culture and Churches, Trond Griske, seems to be on a
personal 'mission' to pass a law that would prevent Norwegian banks and
financial institutions from processing online gambling-related payments in the
country famous for pickled fish and Hagar the Horrible.
If this sounds like a carbon copy of the US online gambling ban imposed at the
end of last year you would be correct, especially when you take into account
that Norway aims to prevent online gamblers from accessing foreign-owned
gambling sites while protecting its own state-owned gambling monopoly, Norske
Tipping.
What's more, Griske has rolled out the same old chestnut of an excuse to justify
the ban that has been used many times by other small-minded politicians around
the world, which is that he is concerned about a
potential increase in 'problem gamblers'.
If that is truly the case then why will Norske Tipping still be free to attract
and accept wagers from Norway's vast network of online gambling fans? Could it
be because of the 1.16 billion Euros in gambling revenues Norske Tipping generated last year, which would be a pity to lose as a result of those 'pesky' problem gamblers?
Sounds like a pickled red herring to this writer. If the United Kingdom has
shown the world anything, it's that online gambling can be legalized and
properly regulated and taxed, creating a win win situation for the
government, the online gamblers and of course the online gambling operations.
Why then do countries such as Norway choose to follow the example of the United
States which professes to be the land of the free but is actually the land of
'you're only really as free as we the government deem you to be'?
I have asked many questions here but have no real answers. What else can I do
but scratch
my head and wonder why I am all of a sudden craving pickled fish and corn dogs.
| Related Articles:
| - Antigua Prepares for Payday in WTO Ruling - 12-11-07
- Unibet Acquires Online Gambling Firm - 12-06-07
- Online Gambling Firm to Buy Maria Holdings Ltd - 12-04-07
- Online Gambling Group Rejects Harrahs Bid - 11-29-07
- Vegas Giants Ready to Enter Online Gambling Market - 11-22-07
- 2008 Online Gambling Event Set for London - 11-22-07
- 888 Online Gambling Games Reach for the Sky - 11-20-07
- Poker Pro Testifies at House Judiciary Committee - 11-15-07
|
 |
|
|
