http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0112/p08s02-cole.html
Commentary > Letters to the Editor
from the January 12, 2005 editionLetters
New Congress should address Internet gambling dangers
We applaud your Jan. 6 editorial “Curbing Internet Gambling.” While it is clear that by definition the activities of offshore Internet gambling sites are illegal under US law, more can, and should, be done to halt the spread of this problem.The Financial Services Committee has had a long-standing interest in combating the scourge of Internet gambling, advancing legislation in each of the last three Congresses to bar Internet gambling sites access to the US financial-services system by preventing the use of credit cards, wire transfers, and other bank instruments to fund gaming transactions. While we have twice succeeded in achieving House passage of this important legislation, the Senate has failed to act. Our Committee’s attempts to add anti-Internet gambling provisions to the legislation implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission late last year also fell short.
We agree with your editorial’s assessment of the dangers of Internet gambling, and will continue our efforts in the newly convened Congress to deny offshore gambling interests access to the US market.
Michael G. Oxley (R) of Ohio,
Spencer Bachus (R) of Alabama,
and James A. Leach (R) of Iowa
Members of the House Committee on Financial Services
Washington
And where are the letters from our industry? Is everyone asleep at the controls here?