Five minutes from ZDNet Australia's offices is an eyesore called 'Star City', lurking on the outer fringes of the city, flashing its array of neon lights to allure gamblers through the front door.
Five minutes from my home is a humble little pub, jam-packed full of flashy poker machines, waiting on its prey with "WIN $100,000" and "WIN $100,000" flashing across the screens.
So what's the problem? If I wanted to become hooked on gambling and throw some hard earned cash away, why would I need to go online to do it?
Recently, the conservative Howard Government announced plans to outlaw online gambling in Australia, banning gambling service providers from trading to Australian residents.
Ironically, the service providers can remain operational to overseas users.
It seems inconsistent to me.
And how effective can a total ban on Internet gambling be when you walk down to your local pub for a flutter?
Perhaps the government feels it can control taxes in a physical world easier than it can in cyberspace? More evidence to show that our politicians know far less about the Internet than they care to admit.
Thirty-two percent of respondents of a recent ZDNet survey agree with the government's decision to ban gambling on the Internet. Fair enough too, I also agree that Australia's gambling addiction is out of control. However, if it is so out of control, why do we keep filling our physical worlds with those ugly poker machines?
Twenty-two percent believe the government does not have a right to put a stop to the Australian online gaming industry, saying it is a state responsibility.
Forty-five percent believe the government's decision is irrelevant to Australian citizens, as there are plenty of overseas sites to choose from.
So, instead of introducing a policy to regulate and closely monitor online gambling sites in Australia, the government has created a 'fortress Australia mentality', as expressed by the civil liberties group Electronic Frontiers Association.
A responsible action some might say! The government thinks it has come to the rescue of a gambling addicted nation - and just in time for the next election too.
