

These gambling sites are typically offshore operations. At least 27 countries have laws in place to license Internet gambling operations. These countries include not only the small island countries that most of us associate with this type of offshore operation, but also larger countries such as Australia, Austria, Belgium, Germany and South Africa. Although the sites may be based in countries where taking bets is legal, it is not necessarily legal for a user in the United States to place bets or engage in interactive gaming on these sites. (This situation is analogous to sports betting that takes place around the country: while it is legal for booking agents in Nevada to take bets on sporting events, it is illegal in most states for a caller to call the booking agent and place that bet.) Due to the accessibility of these sites and the anonymity of the Internet, major concerns exists that underage gamblers will be able to access these sites and gamble. Studies done in 1997 and 1998 showed that 69 to 72 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds use computers for entertainment, averaging four hours of use daily. Also at risk are problem or "pathological" gamblers who will be drawn to the accessibility and instant gratification offered by gambling sites.