Congress approves Net gambling ban

[egghead]

Most forms of Internet gambling would be banned under a bill that received final U.S. congressional approval early Saturday.
The House of Representatives and Senate approved the measure and sent it to President George W. Bush to sign into law.


The bill, a compromise between earlier versions passed (http://news.com.com/House+votes+yes+on+Net-gambling+crackdown/2100-1030_3-6092852.html?tag=nl) by the two chambers, would make it illegal for banks and credit card companies to make payments to online gambling sites.


Democrats had accused Republicans of pushing the bill to placate its conservative base, particularly the religious right, before the November 7 congressional elections.


"It's been over 10 years in the making. The enforcement provisions provided by this bill will go a long way to stop these illegal online operations," said Sen. Jon Kyl, an Arizona Republican and a chief sponsor of the measure.
Negotiators from the Republican-led House and Senate reached a deal on the legislation Friday and attached it to unrelated legislation to bolster port security, which the Congress approved.



he final bill dropped earlier provisions opposed by some gaming interests that would have clarified that a 1961 federal law banning interstate telephone betting also covers an array of online gambling.

Investors in British-based gaming companies such as BETonSPORTS, Partygaming and 888 Holdings have tracked the legislation.


Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican and potential 2008 presidential candidate, recently appeared at a hearing in Iowa--the state that holds the first presidential nominating contest for the 2008 election--to listen to concerns about Internet gambling.
http://news.com.com/Congress+approves+Net+gambling+ban/2100-1028_3-6121580.html



Not happy about that
Egghead

[Big Booger]

What is so terrible about online gambling? I mean what I do with my money is my business.

America is going to sh1t... period. Whatever happened to "the land of the free" ???

[rik]

I dunno. Gambling is illegal in most places here, so really using the internet was just a way to circumvent those laws.

My take anyway...

[zipp51]

If the Gov't could(and they will eventually)obtain revenues from online gambling then all would be good.But first they have to ban the practice so later they can regulate and taxate it.Ask the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in Conneticut about how the state of Conn.is very pushy about getting every cent from slot revenues.It seems the Tribe sent $50 or more gift coupons to regular customers and the state wants their share from the potential wagers.This article says it all about the big money taken in.


High This Years in Conn. Revenues. 2005-08-17
More than $40 million from Connecticut's two American Indian run casinos was circulating around in July. Foxwood Resort Casino reported about an $80.1 million in slot revenue for July, the casino's highest month rake. The previous record was at $77.6 million, in July of last year.
Mohegan Sun also took about $80.1 million in slot revenue in July. The casinos each contributed $20 million, in revenue to the state. Around 7,417 slot machines were in play each day at Foxwoods. Foxwoods is run by Mashantucket Pequots, compared to the 6,205 at Mohegan Sun, run by the Mohegan tribe.
The casinos operate under agreements with the state. This means that they require them to pay a quarter of their slot machine revenues monthly. That is to say now matter what the revenues are, these revenues must be paid out.
(By Andrea)


And thats just slots.:D

[Big Booger]

The question is WHY is gambling illegal in the first place? If I want to wager my money on a bet or cards, or the wheel.. it should be my freedom to do so. How is it that gambling is illegal in the first place?

[zipp51]

The question is WHY is gambling illegal in the first place? If I want to wager my money on a bet or cards, or the wheel.. it should be my freedom to do so. How is it that gambling is illegal in the first place?


Just think of Prohibition of alcohol.Who is behind the total legallization of gambling?Actually it is pretty much up to communities in Mass. and I'm sure other states are the same.Casinos bring in big bucks for Native Americans and a portion goes to the state for just slots.The laws make dice,card,and wheel games illegal except for Tribal Nations.But what's really puzzling is that this state has the most scratch tickets sold and there are the state controlled lotteries.So getting back to online gambling,who is making the money?Not the states,not the federal,but private enterprise,and they are probably taking away(or percieved to)from the state run stuff.It's a threat to them(the powers that be).

Hey BB is there all kinds of legal gambling is Japan?:D

[Big Booger]

Just think of Prohibition of alcohol.Who is behind the total legallization of gambling?Actually it is pretty much up to communities in Mass. and I'm sure other states are the same.Casinos bring in big bucks for Native Americans and a portion goes to the state for just slots.The laws make dice,card,and wheel games illegal except for Tribal Nations.But what's really puzzling is that this state has the most scratch tickets sold and there are the state controlled lotteries.So getting back to online gambling,who is making the money?Not the states,not the federal,but private enterprise,and they are probably taking away(or percieved to)from the state run stuff.It's a threat to them(the powers that be).

Hey BB is there all kinds of legal gambling is Japan?:D


What's funny in Japan is that cards and so on are not legal, but slots are... they call it "Pachinko" and horse races, boat races and dog races are legal here.

Personally I never gamble. I don't like the odds. But if I should want to gamble I think I should be allowed to do so.

You're probably right Zipp. These smucks in office are trying to squeeze out internet gambling to increase revenues at their "Native Casinos"... that they make huge revenue off of...

How can it be ok for just one group in the US to be allowed to have gambling??? What the hell is wrong with that?