In the late 1990s, online gambling exploded onto the scene, attracting players from around the world. Unfortunately, these glamorous virtual casinos also attracted individuals who should not be gambling, kids especially. 2006 marked the year the United States made its attempt to ban online gambling, passing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act that essentially barred casino operators from doing business with the financial institutions that process transactions for American players. Soon thereafter, several of the leading online casino operators and their software providers left the market by refusing to service U.S. customers. Be that as it may, online gambling still exists and the tech savvy kids of today can find their way around preventative measures in order to participate.
Regardless of the UIGEA and the legalities surrounding the industry, online gambling is an issue parents need to pay attention to. Due to the prevalence of the internet and computing in general, gambling online is something that literally done for hours at a time in secrecy. It can deliver a pure rush of adrenaline to anyone kid who plays, especially when considering that they are free of the interruptions that could occur when trying to gamble offline. Sadly, many kids have learned the hard way that online gambling is a fast way to part with money they really cannot afford to lose. Underage gambling can lead to a wide range of problems in the future and put a tremendous strain on the affected family.
Preventive Tips
If you want to keep your children protected from online gambling, take note of the following:
Remind them that gambling on or offline is illegal for anyone under the age of 18. This is the case in all 50 states even before the UIGEA was enacted in 2006.
Explain to your kids how internet casinos are in the business to make money, emphasizing that they stand to lose far more than they win. There are actually quite a few kids as well as adults who still do not realize this.
Let your kids know that by acquiring gambling dept, they could be hindering their ability in the future to go to college or even get a loan for the car they always wanted. Even as an adult, gambling debt can end up damaging your credit rating.
Keep a close watch on your credit card bills. Players typically use credit cards to wager online and if an anxious kid doesn’t have their own, yours could be the next best alternative.
Lastly, if you are truly concerned about your kids gambling online, consider installing an internet filtering program. When configured properly, this type of software will prevent them from gaining access to online gambling sites.
Conclusion
It is relatively easy for kids to find their way to an online gambling site these days. However, this act is illegal, which is why online casinos do not accept memberships or facilitate transactions for minors. The reputable gambling operators take all the necessary measures to ensure kids are not participating on their sites. As a concerned parent, it up to you to play your role and make sure these efforts are not in vein.