The amusement industry has long been forced into competition with gambling.  Slot machines and video lottery terminals compete against the coin operated machines of the amusement industry.  Video lottery terminals and their ability to pop up in bars and taverns have always been a serious threat amusement industry.  But online casinos are likely to be a bigger threat coming down the pipe.

Online casinos, if legalized in the United States could have endless potential for the gambling industry if utilized properly.  Online casinos most readily mean that gamblers will have full access to casino gambling from the comfort of their homes.  That is a threat to the brick and mortar world of gambling itself.  But online casinos, properly utilized could threaten both industries.

Once online casinos are regulated in the United States, there is no reason that online gambling terminals cannot operate in bars all across the country.  These could compete for the business of both video lottery terminals and the jukeboxes of the amusement industry.  If online casinos are inevitable then it follows that it is only a matter of time before someone takes advantage portability of the online casino industry. 

The only real answer for both the amusement industry and the gambling industry is for one or the other to embrace online casinos and take full advantage of its money making potential.  If not online casinos are likely to be a third competing force that neither one can really keep up with.  The jump is easiest for the brick and mortar gambling industry as the amusement industry has long resisted offering gambling services and focus on wht they call “innocent fun.”