Progress on online gambling?

[KenSmith]

House Panel Votes to Approve Bill Legalizing Online Gambling:

Full article at the Wall Street Journal:
(Dead link: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100728-721058.html?mod=dist_smartbrief)

 

[am19psu]

House Panel Votes to Approve Bill Legalizing Online Gambling:

Full article at the Wall Street Journal:
(Dead link: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100728-721058.html?mod=dist_smartbrief)

Wouldn't online table games be a net negative to the beatable B&M games that are available now? Much like the BJ machines that are more palatable to younger people now?

 

[KenSmith]

It would be easy to think just the opposite, that a more competitive marketplace would yield better games all around. Unfortunately, we haven't seen much evidence of that effect so far as more and more venues for table games have popped up.

The good games seem almost accidental based on gaming regulations. As time goes by and the casinos become more a staple of state finances, gaming agencies tilt more and more toward the gaming interests. As a result I predict that some of the new jurisdictions will begin a slide into mediocrity rather than pull up the offerings at their competition. This, with or without online competition.

 

[am19psu]

It would be easy to think just the opposite, that a more competitive marketplace would yield better games all around. Unfortunately, we haven't seen much evidence of that effect so far as more and more venues for table games have popped up.

The good games seem almost accidental based on gaming regulations. As time goes by and the casinos become more a staple of state finances, gaming agencies tilt more and more toward the gaming interests. As a result I predict that some of the new jurisdictions will begin a slide into mediocrity rather than pull up the offerings at their competition. This, with or without online competition.

Maybe I am being dense, but how would an electronic marketplace lead to better games? Outside of bonus hunting?

 

[KenSmith]

Maybe I am being dense, but how would an electronic marketplace lead to better games? Outside of bonus hunting?

Just the usual economic concept that more competition yields better value to the consumer. If you have more choices of where to spend your gambling dollar, the venues should have to offer better games to entice you to choose their particular place.