Preface

Added to the above challenges, the Internet also brings new definition to private gaming. The traditional "private" gaming meant that there was no regulation of any kind for gaming. Person-toperson gaming over which horse is going to win, cannot be easily policed, and has developed into large-scale illegal bookmaking, as has the playing of mahjong games, poker games, at home and in private clubs. The Internet person-to-person exchange is fast getting momentum and is quickly becoming attractive alternative gambling on the web. The same holds true for so-called free or promotional games which entail a stake and which should require a permit. When they first came up, the Internet's commercial possibilities were little known to the legislators, so much so that the current legislation does not take them into account. For example, on the Internet, when a user clicks on an advertising banner, he provides a name and address, possibly even more personal information, to participate in a game. By selling such database information, the operator derives a source of revenue from such "free" games. Is this a game or is this gambling? How can government revenue be controlled and protected and how can legislation protect the traditional licensed gambling operator?

The legislative distinction, or lack thereof, between private and public gaming is in itself the major reason why certain areas of the gaming market have developed without any form of regulation, in particular over the Internet.

Personally, I am involved in both horse racing and IT. In terms of horse racing, in addition to just being a horse racing aficionado, I am >>