Internet cafes seem to always be under attack in the US but New Hampshire is going to turn this one around and make it work for them rather than against them. Beginning on July 1, 2010, New Hampshire will actually offer online gambling which has been rejected in the past. PlayNowNH will give customers the opportunity to buy $100 worth of credit at lottery retailers. They can then use that credit online and choose their games that they might enjoy playing. Expect scratch off ticket type gaming options with this opportunity. Just like when you purchase an instant lottery ticket, it is either a winner or a loser...this is what will happen with the credits...this is how New Hampshire can get around the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act that took effect on June 1st. The UIGEA has asked that financial institutions block transactions to and from online gambling sites.
Once the credits are purchased, people can find out right away if the credit is a winner or not. If it is not then there is no reason for them to go online to play the games but if their credit is a winner then they can go and enjoy their game play. Lawmakers are not too happy about this kind of gaming promotion and still argue that online gaming is dangerously addictive. This is what New Hampshire has going on now but other US states are not stopping there and want an even bigger piece of the gambling pie. New Jersey is giving some serious thought to regulating online poker while Florida and California are also advocating for regulated online gambling.
