I was asked if I know anything about online gambling--sites like Mac Poker--as they relate to Web 2.0. Right off the bat, it is important to know that I am pretty much anti-gambling. It isn't that I think that gambling should be banned, if people want to spend time in a casino that is up to them. I have, in fact, put a few dollars into penny and nickel slots in Reno and Las Vegas. Personally I find gambling pretty boring. But it can be extremely harmful when addictive behaviours begin breaking down a person's relationships. Finally, Online Gambling is illegal in the US.

Onto the question of Web 2.0...I suppose, because there is an element of collaborative behaviour online gambling is on the periphery of Web 2.0. Personally don't think it falls within the spirit or the Web 2.0 community.

In any case, I thought I would sit down and take a closer look at a few sites and I was directed to Mac Poker Online as an example of a resource site.

The site is easy to navigate. It has links to related sites up top and then links down the left side that have strategies, tips, rules, and links to sites where you can lose money. It appears that this site makes money through referrals to other sites. So, it isn't itself a gambling site.

One of the links that I found interesting was "Online Poker Legal?" where there is an attempt to use small portions of larger arguments to try and convince would be gamblers that the activity IS legal in the U.S. The truth is, people are being charged and people are going to jail in the United States.

So, beware. While playing poker online might seem like an innocent distraction, it is not allowed in the U.S., can lead to addiction and breakdown of relationships, and make families destitute.

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