Official bodies in a pair of nations have recently reported continued growth in popularity of online gaming, and together tell a tale of the need to regulate online gaming as opposed to merely illegalizing the amusement as in the United States.

The Norwegian Gambling Commission last week reported that country’s online gaming market to have sent 6.1 percent growth year-on-year in 2007. Norwegian gamblers spent $1.4 billion in online gaming, but only about one in six kroners was spent in Norway-based online casinos.

About 12% of adult males in Norway gambled online in 2007, according to the study, while about 2% of females participated. The most popular games were Norwegian Lotto (48% of those surveyed), online poker (28%), sportsbook (27%) and casino games (7%).

Meanwhile, a study undertaken by Singapore’s Ministry for Community Development, Youth and Sports showed that 1% of the 2,300 polled had gambled online in 2007. While at first this may seem a small number, consider two facts: that 1% represents a tenfold increase on the numbers of just two years ago; and placing bets with foreign operators is forbidden in the country.

If found guilty of transacting such business, the accused can be fined $5,000 and land a six-month prison term.

Surely, both countries would be better served in terms of increasing national coffers and curbing unnecessary prosecution by not attempting to quash what is, for the overwhelming majority, a harmless diversion...? In fact, perhaps a little more official promotion of local business providing the service could help...