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Really odd that in a big size congress like the US is, a bill may be banned by an arrangement with only one person.
In case of success the bill will stop US citizens gambling offshore.
Right now millions of dollars are gambled in those offshore and ilegal HYIP, Traffic Surf, Cyclers, Doublers etc etc.
I can not see difference.
It ceases to amaze me how these right-wingers preach morality (in their effort to get rid of Internet-based gambling), but fully support an immoral war, and the alcohol and tobacco industries, which collectively kill thousands per year, both directly and indirectly. It just doesn’t make sense, although the argument is that one has absolutely nothing to do with the other.
Let’s try to look at this issue objectively:
Don’t let them fool you. It’s not really about morality – it’s about money. The U.S. is green (no pun intended) with envy, in seeing all the money flock overseas, with few people actually paying taxes on gambling winnings (even though they should be). They want to stem the tide of this overseas cash flow, with the intent of people going to “in-house”, legalized, gambling parlors. Fat chance of this happening, since it is too much effort for most people to hop in a car and travel to the “nearest” casino.
With the ever-increasing budget deficit what it is, wouldn’t it behoove our wonderful government to jump on-board into this industry, help regulate it (which could actually have some positive benefits to us), and claim a piece of this very lucrative pie ? By “playing ball”, the government stands to make some money, and a decent amount at that. Prohibiting it outright, will continue to push these industries offshore, which hurts the U.S. Additionally, how on earth can the U.S. force its citizens to not gamble over the Internet ? Are they going to get Internet providers to block access to the multitude of sites out there ??? Never ! Are they going to get the Credit Card companies to comply with not permitting gambling charges to made ??? Never ! People will always find loopholes – alternate ISP’s and alternate payment methods (NETeller, for example). The bottom line is it really is totally non-regulatable from a technical and practical standpoint.
Can Internet gambling become additive ? Most certainly it can. But does it cause gambling addiction ? Certainly no more than legalized alcohol causes addicition, or legalized tobacco causes addiction; both of which, by the way, can cause harm to others. Do the existence of pornographic websites increase sexual offender behavior ? Let’s examine a whole bunch of social issues, if we are going to ban online gaming. The gambling sick are a small minority, and if they can’t bet over the Internet, they will find other ways to bet – horse race betting, lotteries, etc. There is no way it can be curtailed by imposing a restriction on Internet Gambling. It would be just like prohibition – people would find other ways to get their moonshine; hence, prohibition was eventually repealed.
I cannot see our government passing any legislation in both houses, without this subsequently being challenged in the Supreme Court. And at that juncture, the legality of regulating international-based activities, will never see the light of day; even with Bush’s 2 new cronies in the seats.
I suggest everyone who advertises for pay put an appropriate legal disclaimer on their sites, and to pay every penny of taxes on revenue due to the U.S. government. And sit back, and not worry. We will not be shut down !
Comments anyone ?
You just might want to note that the legislation is co-written with a Democrat.
“Goodlatte Introduces Internet Gambling Prohibition Act
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Rep Rick Boucher (D-VA) today called a press conference to announce their introduction of legislation aimed at prohibiting gambling via the Internet and other remote means. Called the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act, the bill seeks to update the federal Wire Act to cover all forms of gambling and technologies. Upon the bill’s introduction it was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, on which Goodlatte and Boucher are both members, for further consideration.”The good news is that the new majority leader John Boehner is not a co-sponsor of the bill.
Yah, well, look at what else is happening.
Look at what Oregon is doing:
xhttp://www.oregonlottery.org/keno/
Click on the sportsaction, too!
That is government sponsored gambling online, including sportsbetting.
Without getting into the politics of the whole issue, Prohibiting Online Gambling would be unattainable. Common sense lectures to me that such an act would require world cooperation, something that will never happen.
In most developed countries what people decide to do in their private domains is protected under the constitution. Individual rights which we all have was in response to keep the tyrants of the majority in check. Such a prohibition would be an attack on the bedrock in which free Democratic society rests.
In a Democratic society, the Utilitarian (majority rules) approach to Govern was recongnized to have flaws. One such problem is, can the majority Govern what happens in the privacy of one’s home? to a certain extent, as long as it does not have an impact outside of their private domain.
In additon, to get around this perplexing delima many individual rights had to be given. Freedom of speech, freedom on religion and so forth. Without this rights Democracy fails.
The internet belongs to the world and to try and regulate it would be impossible. Here in Canada apparently Online Gambling is illegal. A law which is unenforcable cannot be a law. I do not see the law busting down peoples doors, because they can’t.
I am sure this will be a good debate, but in the end I predict Online Gambling will always be accessible to the masses. greek39
That is a good article.
Anyone that follows American politics can tell you that these conservatives are just trying to save their jobs by attempting to outlaw Internet Gambling. These folks have screwed up big time and they figure (incorrectly) that this will help them keep their jobs in congress. But the writing is on the wall, these neo-cons are history after the next election. So all that has to happen for this bill to fade away is a very few congressmen/women to stall things until after November (People in Congress are great at stalling things, its what they do best!).
Quote:I do not see the law busting down peoples doors, because they can’t.Maybe not where you live, but in America they sure can. In America they (the law) can even come in your house when your away snoop around leave nasty little bugs to listen in on you and never ever have to tell you about it…
Quote:In a Democratic society…Contrary to popular belief, America is Capitalist Country with a Capitalist Government. Hey, America has the Very Best Government money can buy!
FYI – Capitalist Governments and Democratic Governments are very different and are not really compatible with each other.
Quote:You just might want to note that the legislation is co-written with a Democrat.Well to set the record straight, Rep Rick Boucher calls himself a Democrat, but he has voted the Republican party line for the last Six years. He also spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2004 in favor of Pres. Bush and the Republican Party, so he can call himself a Democrat, but in point of fact he is a Republican.
