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June 5, 2003

Legislation attacking online gambling remains alive in the House. (more and more)

If Jim Leach (R-Iowa) and Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) get their way, credit card companies and wire transfer services would be banned from processing Internet wagers on offshore sites. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz) leads the effort in the Senate. The Justice Department is on board.

[Leach] said he is not surprised by the heavy lobbying. "America's gambling industry is very powerful and a behind-the-scenes player with a large role in American politics," he said.

Millions of American enjoy online gambling. It's a $6 billion industry. Leach and his colleagues in the party of small government want to use their power to end the fun. Maybe the gambling business wouldn't play such a large role in politics if politicians weren't willing to play such a large role in the gambling business.

Comments

Bern|6.5.03 @ 1:10AM|#

I'm not surprised at these legislators. 96% of them worry that "someone, somewhere is having fun."

Warren|6.5.03 @ 4:12AM|#

I think it's got more to do with the fact that every NA casino that opens up needs to first flood the local pols with brib.. uh kick-ba.. I mean CONTRIBUTIONS. Foreign onliners can by-pass the graft.

Chuckleupagus|6.5.03 @ 10:45AM|#

What we need is some heavyweight lobbying to stop this assault on our liberty.

We need someone with gravitas, a moral voice, and some real weight to throw around on this issue.

Where's Bill Bennet when you need him?

|6.5.03 @ 12:01PM|#

Leach's comments make it sound as if he is taking on America's gambling industry. But what they are really attacking is the online gambling industry which is typically based in other countries. It seems like it would be in the best financial interest of America's gambling industry to put an end to their online competitors. Anyway to see if these guys have taken donations from Harrah's?