US Military Not Allowed to Gamble Online

Submitted by Gary on Tue, 2010-03-02 at 20:50

The US Military have long been subjected to internet restrictions, especially while overseas. It isn’t clear why that is, maybe the military would like to maintain a stoic image and many of the services offered on the internet just don’t allow for that.

Social media sites were banned in 2007 but a new rule has been implemented that allows active duty military to visit sites such as Facebook and Twitter. This is because US troops can use these portals to stay in touch with family and friends while they are overseas. There is still the option of writing letters but technology is advancing and people are always looking for faster ways of doing things. Facebook and Twitter allow for messages to be received instantly, something that can make all the difference to military families.

However, online gambling remains banned for the military. It was once a popular pastime among active duty troops because it relieved stress and was a way to get their mind off their current circumstances. But as popularity grew, the US government began to search for ways of preventing it. Currently, the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) is in place but there is speculation that it may be overthrown sometime this year. Should this happen, the government can expect that US troops will find a way to play their favorite online casino games.