It might be the furthest thing from someone’s interests, but there are legions of people that play poker as a hobby, an earner, or even as a living. Some of you might have even taken to the tables yourself in the past, with or without success. It’s good socially – get your friends round, crack open some drinks and play low stakes for fun. There’s also more serious competition and it’s been making big money internationally for years
Just recently Croatia approved new gaming laws that will allow for an online poker market, with new licenses available and new tax details. Though the ins and outs might be uninteresting to the layman, the key thing is that by the middle of 2015 you can expect these markets to be fully functioning and open to players in the region. Kick-starting the online poker industry has served as a good boost for economies that are not having their best stretch – look to New Jersey in the USA, for example, or many others. They’re hoping their success makes neighbours follow suit, as it could in the Balkans.
But of course with every discussion of potentially monetary positives and the freedom for people to engage in the online gambling games of their choice, you also get the flipside. That is people struggling with debt and gambling addictions. Does the state’s potential control of gambling impede on our autonomy as players? It can lead to many more politically loaded questions about our personal choices.
Here in Europe’s South East corner, we can compete with almost any other nation in many respects. We’ve got just as much culture as Rome, the spectacular scenery of Italy, we can party like the Balearics. Most of the time we can do it better, or at least cheaper. Why shouldn’t we compete on every level and why shouldn’t our industries have the same chances as others?
Having a more booming casino site industry can bring jobs, money and some personal success. Those susceptible to addiction issues are likely to find problems regardless of the legality of this kind of thing. They could even find themselves worse off if they’re forced to darker markets and shadier lenders due to prohibition, and legalisation can help with that.
As was stated in the opening paragraph, it may mean nothing to you and overall the impacts might be minimal, but some people care. Should the rest of the region follow Croatia’s lead?
