There's no denying that the Internet has made life much easier and more convenient for online gamblers all over the world. In fact, one might even label the Internet as a tool of the modern casino industry. This might be true in a number of ways. For one thing, the Internet has opened doors that were otherwise closed to players - it's now possible to make wagers on any kind of sporting event, including boxing matches and horse racing. In fact, many countries have taken advantage of this by offering "lucky" slot machines that offer phenomenal jackpot amounts even when odds are ridiculously low.
So, what's all this fuss about? The Unlawful Internet Gambling enforcement Act, which was passed in America last year, has been a pretty outspoken bark, literally, with very little bite to go along with it. Despite popular sentiment to the contrary, putting a stake on a real-time web-based bet on blackjack or slots is completely legal for US citizens. In fact, the law specifically allows people to play online poker, which was banned in the country as recently as 2021. It seems rather paradoxical, but the US government sees gambling as a legitimate business, even as they crack down on those who engage in activities not deemed to be in the interests of the state.
This raises a good question. Where do you draw the line between legality and illegality when it comes to gambling online? There's no single answer to this question, but the consensus seems to be that the law does not recognize 인터넷 도박 - even though most casinos out there would say otherwise. On the other hand, the Korean Gambling Administration seems to take a more pragmatic approach. While they don't officially consider online betting and gambling to be illegal, they do feel it is important to police the industry to protect the safety of Korean consumers. In short, they want to make sure that everyone playing at all of their country's gambling facilities are following the law.
That being said, one might read a review of all the legal, regulated gambling enterprises operating in the country to understand the lay of the land. For example, aside from the three major licensed gambling establishments, there are also a number of small stand-alone casinos, which are legal and regulated by local governments. In other words, you can visit any number of sites and observe a completely lawful system of online gambling, just as you'd do if you were in an actual casino. There are no rumors of anyone going to jail for playing the slot machines at home, or for playing at unlicensed stand-alone gambling venues.
That brings us to one of the questions raised by critics of the Korean Gambling Administration's efforts: How will the Korean government punish those who run their own online betting websites, and how will they get those websites shut down? Many opponents of the Korean government's plan feel it is a waste of time and resources to enforce a law that will allow for free enterprise on the Internet. They also point out that it is against the international laws already in place to have websites that facilitate gambling. So why should the government go after the smaller operators, rather than the truly malicious sites that cause real harm to consumers?
The fact remains that the state law is very clear on this issue. Gambling is legal in the state of Korean, whether in individual locations or via licensed online casinos. And, it is the state law that governs those matters. Therefore, while it may be true that the proliferation of online casinos that operate outside of Korea is a troubling trend, the fact remains that it is the state law that controls which online casinos are allowed to run in the country.