Another politician aboard the anti-internet gambling bandwagon

[Wynton]

Rep. Jim Leach has jumped aboard the anti-internet gambling bandwagon, with this thoughtful letter: http://www.igamingnews.com/articles/files/leachletter-2005.pdf

Among other things, he quotes a warning from the Department of State that "internet gambling operations are vulnerable to be used, not only for money laundering, but also for criminal activities ranging from terrorist financing to tax evasion."

Eek.

[Wynton]

And here's an article, for anyone interested:

http://www.igamingnews.com/index.cfm?page=artlisting&tid=6234

[thetman]

Aren't there more important issues for them? Ridiculous that we elect these clowns and they do such a pathetic job

[mlagoo]

when in doubt, if you need support, just tell the public that terrorists are involved.

breaking news: "bin laden deputy dumps chips at party 2/4 NL game. 2+2 calls him a donk."

[pudley4]

[ QUOTE ]
Rep. Jim Leach has jumped aboard the anti-internet gambling bandwagon, with this thoughtful letter: http://www.igamingnews.com/articles/files/leachletter-2005.pdf

Among other things, he quotes a warning from the Department of State that "internet gambling operations are vulnerable to be used, not only for money laundering, but also for criminal activities ranging from terrorist financing to tax evasion."

Eek.

[/ QUOTE ]

[censored] probably never even thought of making it legal. They could regulate the sites, they could set up a company that would run an online depository (like neteller) where they could not only track the money going in and out (which would prevent money laundering, tax evasion, and terrorist activity) but also make money on the transaction fees.

So they get their billions in tax money and transaction fees plus they get to monitor it all plus we get lots more fishies because it's government approved. Win-win.

[jrbick]

In response to the argument of "social harm":

1. Tobacco industry
2. Alcohol
3. B+M gambling

In response to the argument of things that make online gambling different from B+M gambling:

1. Regulate it.
A. Reap the rewards of tax revenue
B. Protect citizens
C. Prevent illegal abuse

Most of the bigger sites already combat these illegal uses of online gambling. Regulate the industry to weed out the smaller companies that do just about anything to get customers in the... err, "door."

I'm all about preserving the "social fabric" of America (whatever that means...if there even is anything to preserve), but I'm also all about being consistent. Passing proposals such as the "Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act" would be pretty inconsistent.