According to the UK’s Conservative Party there are so many people addicted to gambling because of the relaxed rules on internet gambling and advertising. They say that figures show an increase of almost of a quarter of a million more people gambling online in 2008, compared to 2007 when advertising was first permitted.

Under pressure from the EU it has been reported that France will allow private online gambling companies to operate in France from next year.  An online gambling bill will be submitted to the cabinet at the end of March.

Bermuda is envious of Antigua, Barbuda and Costa Rica making so much money from online gambling so the  government is looking into the possibility of going into the market.  Not only are online casinos being considered, but also casinos may be allowed to open on the island.    Premier Ewart Brown said that they are preparing a feasibility study on gaming in general to see what the possibilities may be.

The Australian government’s plans to censor online gambling and porn websites will put users’ freedoms at risk says the internet users’ lobby group Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA).  Their spokesman Dale Clapperton said that “Any group with an axe to grind and political clout will be lobbying the Government to blacklist websites which they object to”.   Definitely sounds like the Kentucky situation to me.

A new proposal by Clubs Australia is for family members to have the support of gambling officers in order to assist with a problem gambler in the family.  If the plan goes ahead, problem gamblers would not be allowed further access to clubs until they received the necessary counseling.  It seems a good idea, but what might happen to a child at home who asks for help for one of his parents?

A national UK newspaper has reported that 25% more people are asking for help with their gambling problems and the cause is believed to be the government’s relaxation of rules on bookmakers and casinos advertising.  The Mail On Sunday says that nearly 38,000 people called a betting addiction hotline in 2007 compared to just over 30,000 in 2006.

Lawrence Anderson at Online Casino Advisory has said that we must find a solution to problem gambling instead of just highlighting it to the public with horror stories of the problems that gamblers have.    He says studies have shown that problem gambling, like alcohol abuse or drug problems, may be caused by a defect.

During 2007 over 22 million worldwide online gambling players generated over $9 billion in revenue according to recent data.  In the UK alone 18% of men and women take part in this pastime, 14% of which are between 25-34 years of age.  Despite the vast amount of global revenue in 2007, it is forecast that growth will continue in 2008 and 2009, but will be slow due to the ever-increasing financial insecurity throughout the world.