I am for legalization.
Yes, there would be rules and regulations galore.
Yes, it would likely change the playing field.
Much would change, but much would stay the same.
I would think some of the current casino, bingo and poker groups ( I know nothing of sportsbetting) would likely apply for a licence and after much jumping through hoops obtain it.
Others would choose to remain in the grey area. I believe there will likely be a place for both. Those in the grey area will likely be more flexible in what they offer players as they won’t be bound by a zillion rules and financial burdens.
Why would I prefer legalization? Because the devil you know would be less likely to throw surprise laws at you. I like knowing what I am up against. I like knowing exactly and precicely what it takes to stay within the law.
I like being an upstanding citizen, paying my dues and enjoying the reputation I deserve as an honest and straight forward business person.
The grey area bothers me, and the main reason I am still here and still participate in trying to keep this industry as clean as possible is that I am looking forward to this situation to be stabilized and regulated and allowing me to do what I do well without all these worries.
Keeping this industry on the straight and narrow as much as possibly possible by making sure a contract is a contract and a handshake is a handshake is the very foundation we can build on. Ensuring that we have an ethical work environment now will make the transition to a regulated industry a lot easier.
Operating in a grey area does not mean you can have dodgy casinos that screw players or affiliates, it means establishing a solid reputation for a fair and upstanding industry. We can and should self regulate. Unethical behavior should be outed and corrected.
Ultimately regulation (in addition to making extensive taxation of those who do not pay taxes now possible) is intended to assure accountability and proper business behavior. Affiliates pay their taxes now already, so that is not our issue. A clean industry is a good thing. Predictability and the security it provides is a good thing. Even if we end up bogged down with laws and regulation we will at least know what they are and what we need to deal with.
Yes, I am for regulation.