There are always strong opinions on both sides of every controversy, and one of the most controversial things in the news right now is Barney Frank’s online gambling bill. Although the bill was met with much excitement by many in the online gambling world, it was also met with disapproval and lack of support by others.

One of the opposers of the bill is Joseph Alongi, who describes himself as a former gambler. Alongi did acknowledge that the revenue to individual states is very tempting, but he feels that the possible social costs for legalized online casinos are too high. Harvard studies, however, show that online gambling is far less addictive than land-based gambling.

Alongi runs a website called Bet Against Me which allows players to place bets with fantasy cash, and the players who make the most money over a certain time period win prizes. Alongi said “I created BetAgainstMe.com as a safe way to get your gambling fix without losing your house, your family and your dignity.” The site earns revenue through advertising.

If the Frank bill goes through, there is a good chance that BetAgainstMe.com will lose some of their loyal players as they might well begin to gamble for real money once online gambling is regulated and legalized.

There is some speculation that Alongi is more concerned about saving his site than about saving potential problem gamblers. Others feel that a site like Alongi’s could cause problem gamblers since those who ‘win big’ with fantasy money may try their hand at gambling with real money in the hopes that they will continue to ‘win big.’