Uptight Americans?

[Carlyle Rood]

For amusement, I thought I might place a bet on the Open Championship.  Fundamentally, I'm not especially a gambler.  I guess I had too many math classes.

Nonetheless, the Open is unique.  I thought it would be fun to bet on Mickelson.  I looked online and saw he was 6/1 to finish as low American.  I started to open an online account to place the bet; but, when trying to select my country, I discovered that the United States wasn't a choice.

A few clicks later, I verified that gambling online is still prohibited in the U.S.  Honestly, I thought online gambling was exempt.  Apparently it is not.

I apologize; but, I find it extraordinarily hyprocritical for our country to prohibit wagering on the Open while it allows states (and reservations) to monopolize gambling through lottos, casinos, and the like.

[Daryl David]

Carlyle,

It has nothing to do with morales.  It is all about tax and revenue.  Uncle Sam doesn't get a cut, so it is off limits.

[John Kavanaugh]

Sometimes people like me need to be protected from ourselves.  If GCA has done anything over these years I have participated it kept me off the internet poker sites.  There is no shortage of avenues to place a bet if you so choose and at least the ones you mention are somewhat regulated.  Be happy you are not a gambler especially.

I also wear my seatbelt only because I once got a ticket.  I am thankful for that also.

[Doug Siebert]

You just need to open an account in another country and use it for your gambling.  They passed a law last year to prevent US banks (including major credit card companies) from accepting charges from offshore gambling enterprises.  But I don't believe the law addresses US citizens who have some money overseas.

[Mark Pearce]

We have a client who operates a very respectable online gambling operation.  None of the directors are able to travel to the USA because operators of European online gambling operations have been arrested on arrival in the US.  Something to do witn wire fraud allegedly (that is the provision of gambling services which may be accessed from the US is seen as wire fraud).

[Paul_Turner]

In a grown-up country like Britain you can walk down almost every town high-street and place a bet with your local bookmaker.  Can place some weird ones too:  life on Mars....

[Mike Hendren]

Carlyle,

Nice to see you post again.

The lottery is not gambling, but rather a tax on those willing to pay it.

Mike

[RJ_Daley]

Hey, I think I just won... I had Carlyle posting again within the next year!  It was 5-1  

[Bill Gayne]

I'm flying out to Ireland tomorrow night and for a "small handling fee" I can take care of all interested. Just send the money to me Paypal or better yet cash in a fedex envelope will work just fine. No questions asked.

[Tim Leahy]

If you really want to bet on Phil, I don't think it would be hard to find someone in any local tavern or clubhouse to give you odds for just about any amount!

[Carlyle Rood]

I didn't want to bet just for the sake of gambling.  It's easy enough to do that--legal or otherwise.  The British Open is unique.  Like some at the Kentucky Derby, I probably wouldn't even cash the ticket if I won.  It's more of a keepsake.