Age Verification VS Online Gambling Ban

A group on the pro side of the online gambling debate called, Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative has in a press release outlined opinions brought up at a US Congressional Hearing where Barney Franks Online Gambling Regulation Bill was being debated.

The Press Release brings to light age verification technologies that can and when implemented will block US minors from gambling on the internet.

Frank's Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act will create and mandate rules requiring licensed online gambling operations to utilize specific protections that will guard against minors participating in the online gambling activities.

The press release as written by the SSIGI (Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative) outlines a quote from Michael Colopy of Aristotle Inc. an online identity and age verification service that contracts with clients both from public and private sectors.

"Over the last ten years, law enforcement and consumer protection agencies as well as industry self-regulatory bodies have recognized the need for rapid online identity verification," said Michael Colopy. "As ever more efficient technologies and reliable databases have been developed, online transactions have become, in many instances, faster and less risky than the visual driver's licenses scan that suffices for alcohol or cigarette purchases in America's neighborhoods."

Andrew Poole, GamCare Trade Services Managing Director was also quoted in the release:

"There is clear evidence that steps taken by regulated Internet gambling operators to ensure the age and identification of every online gambler has gone a long way to minimize the threat of underage gambling in the UK," said Andrew Poole. "The structure of the Internet provides a unique opportunity to put in place protections that are not necessarily available in traditional gambling environments. Instantaneously, a user's identity can be compared to multiple databases and verified for accuracy."