I agree with the OP that this is a very serious concern. From wikipedia:
evoorhees, would you claim bitcoins are nothing of value?
Bitcoins are just our little game, we have our software and we play with it with these things we created, bitcoins. How can it be real money? And have any value? That's impossible! Quote
t. The Act defines a bet or wager to include risking something of value on the outcome of a contest, sports event, "or a game subject to chance.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unlawful_Internet_Gambling_Enforcement_Act_of_2006evoorhees, would you claim bitcoins are nothing of value?
