Focus on the Family Admits Online Gambling Ban Not Working

But even Focus on the Family admits that the online gambling ban has failed.

James Dobson's evangelistic organization has been a staunch supporter of the UIGEA. But even Focus on the Family admits that the online gambling ban has failed.

The Focus website, CitizenLink, has pointed out that, despite attempts to prevent US patrons from accessing online casinos, Internet gambling is enjoying record revenues. Any goals of protecting children or stopping money laundering have not been met, as only reputable and responsible online casino operators have acknowledged the ban.

And attempts to spin the news to make it appear as if the online gaming increase means out-of-control gambling by problem gamblers are refuted by the decline in average deposit even as revenues rise. Gambling experts say this shows that more people are playing, but still watching budgets.

Focus quotes an anti-gambling spokesman, who says online gambling is "... the equivalent of saying to someone who drinks too much, 'I'm going to set the bar up in your home."

But OCA gaming analyst Sherman Bradley says the analogy works in other ways. "There are millions of US homes that have alcohol in them. Only a minute percentage are alcoholics. It makes no sense to tell them they all have to give up the freedom to drink because a small number who should be getting therapy aren't."