Indeed, gambling through cyberspace is already a done deal. The market is global even if American cyberbettors are banned from gambling through their personal computers. There are already about 40 Web sites where online gamblers can use credit cards to bet real money on blackjack, roulette and other games of chance or on sports events. Typically, an electronic line of credit must be established before any wagers are made. Winners are paid with mailed checks or deposits to their credit card accounts.
Losses show up on monthly credit card bills.
The Internet casinos are run from foreign computer screens located everywhere from Antigua to Australia, and gamblers should investigate the sites before typing in their credit card number, said Schneider, who is also chairman of the Interactive Gaming Council. Complaints about slow payoffs or suspicious results spread instantaneously to millions of prospective gamblers on the Internet, so online casinos have financial incentives to play fair if they want to stay in business long, said Schneider. The risks of fixed games or outright theft are among the reasons that opponents cite in seeking to keep gambling off the Internet. Bills to ban online gambling have been introduced in both the Senate and House, and some state attorneys general have filed charges against Internet casino operators. Nationwide, gambling is generally illegal unless specifically authorized and regulated by a state.