The fallout from the Washington Post and CBS’ 60 Minutes joint investigative piece on cheating scandals at AbsolutePoker.com and UltimateBet.com has a number of people calling for regulation in the U.S. to prevent similar scams from being visited upon consumers in the future.

Supporters of an open and regulated online industry say that without government oversight and protections, there is no way that players can be assured they are getting a fair shake. The added revenue from a tax structure would be an added benefit.

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank has made numerous attempts to pass legislation that would pave the way for a regulatory framework allowing U.S. citizens access to online casinos and poker rooms.

Outside of the financial benefits and the protections to U.S. citizens, such legislation could also help ease tensions between the U.S. and a number of jurisdictions including the European Union, over free trade obligations and the failure of the U.S. to provide foreign operators access to its citizens.

Critics of online gaming, however, say it should be outlawed and prohibited wherever possible. They agree that as it stands players have no protection against scams, but point out that such protections seldom if ever exist when people engage in illegal activities.

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.