Industry News
Online Casino Gaming Boosts Relationships, Study Says
Rather, online gaming is connecting players, and creating communities, worldwide. The study said gamers of all ages join their friends online, through a high-speed Internet connection, and play together, chat, and usually have a very good time.University of Wisconsin at Madison's Dimitri Williams, a professor of speech and communications, said that online games are becoming a "third place" outside of home and work for informal socialization and the formation of "relationships of status and solidarity."
A Community
This sense of being connected, is not restricted by geographical limitations, Williams said."Not just the online component of gaming is evolving, but the hardware manufacturers and game developers are recognizing the value of making games with a cooperative, socially interactive element, whether they are played online, at a LAN party, or locally on a home console," said Williams.
Some online gaming firms are even using this in the marketing. One company, Video Game Locker, has adopted a mission statement, according to site administrator, Greg Wolfe, to promote pro gaming and cooperative online gaming as a "valid social interactive" function. "The primary focus is on helping the beginner join the rapidly growing ranks of cyber-athletes," said Wolfe.
The news comes as government authorities around the world express consternation at the antiquated U.S. government position on online gambling. Foreign trading partners of the U.S. say that gaming is good for people, and are backed up by the latest study. They also note that gaming is a hugely beneficial economic tool. The World Trade Organization (WTO) held two days of hearings last week concerning Barbuda and Antigua’s Internet gaming controversy with the U.S.
Representatives from the Caribbean government were, however, positive and optimistic regarding the controversy.
A $15 Billion Business
The finance Minister of Antigua, Dr. Errol Cort, said his country's views on the issues are backed by major trading partners from the United States, Japan, Europe, and China."Major trading partners of the United States have seen it fit to join with us in contesting what we have always maintained is a dispute about granting market access," said Cort.
The European Union, during the hearing, said the global value of the gambling industry position now stands at $15.5 billion, much higher than last year's figure of $12 billion.
The WTO is expected to rule against the U.S., for attempting to outlaw gambling.
"On receipt of the interim report, the parties will be given a period of time to submit their comments and observations on the panel's rulings and recommendations, before the final report is made available to the entire WTO membership sometime in early February 2007," Cort said
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