“I think the government probably needs to make sure punters don’t go underground, so it doesn’t go back to the 40’s and 50’s of the Mafia days. This law will create more opportunities for those types of operations.”

The new bill may also be a move by the US to create an increasingly exclusive market, he said.

“The US government probably wants to get rid of the foreign operators and open it up for onshore opportunities,” he said.

Marie Mullally, head of the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation says that the bill will do little to combat the problem of online gambling abuse, particularly amongst a growing number of young people. She says the best way to control the problem is by regulating online gaming, something countries are focusing on to reduce rising numbers.

We believe regulation with tough controls is the way forward, which is different approach to the U.S., but that’s not a criticism, it’s just a fact said Anthony Wright, a spokesman for the U.K. Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

“What this bill doesn’t do is actually help anybody that does have a problem with gambling on the Internet. It just creates an administrative barrier.” saysKeith Whyte, executive director of National Council on Problem Gambling.

The whole world seems to have the same opinion: the online gambling ban does not help anyone but…politicians maybe.