→ Gambling is American

Part One: Always Has Been, Shortly after the advent ofthe internet, the question ofthe legality of online gambling followed. Until the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act that was attached to the Safe Port Act and signed into law October 28, the government had done little to stop it. However, the UIGEA is a far cry from eradicating an institution that is more accepted and popular then ever, and one that so many enjoy. We can all see proofthat the perception of gambling is shifting towards tolerance through the increasing number of states that have laws allowing slot parlors. Other states are working on new legislation to allow card games to make up for lost revenue as neighboring states finally open slot parlors. "Judged by the dollars spent, gambling is now more popular in America than baseball, the movies, and Disneyland-combined," said Timothy L. O'Brien in his 1998 book "Bad Bet."

Gambling has actually been part of life in America ever since the colonial days. As long as the game was regarded suitable for gentlemen, gambling was considered a proper diversion from life. The Virginia Company of London was the first to use a lottery to raise money for its venture in the New World. Later all 13 colonies were running lotteries, usually more than one. Colonist felt obligated to play, like buying your son's raffle tickets. Some of these lotteries assisted in the establishment of several ofAmerica's oldest and most prestigious universities such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Dartmouth and William and Mary. From riverboats to saloons during the gold rush, gambling thrived as entertainment as well as a way for the estab|ishments' owners to earn an income in the Wild West. Gambling has similar aspects one could easily associate with those laying the outline of our country on the frontier: risk, opportunity and essence of adventure. Part Two: Always Will Be.