Internet Gambling Prohibition Act a Good Thing, Say Family Advocacy Groups
by Ed Thomas and Jody Brown
July 12, 2006
(AgapePress) - - The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act, declaring certain types of online gambling illegal and prohibiting credit card payments for such gambling. The mixed reaction includes detractors and supporters of efforts to control online commerce. H.R. 4411, sponsored by Republican congressmen Jim Leach of Iowa and Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, was approved by the House on Tuesday (July 11) by a 317-93 vote. The Dow Jones news service says the measure makes it illegal to offer credit card services or to accept such payments, and also relies on financial institutions to block payments for illegal Internet gambling from credit cards, electronic fund transfers, checks, or similar monetary instruments.
The bill has exceptions for state lotteries and horse racing, leaving them in control of state law where they already exist. But some detractors, citing the failure of Prohibition, say the Internet should not be policed but rather regulated and taxed. Others, like Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, say the bill does not provide help for those already addicted to online gambling. "There's not a single dime in this legislation to actually provide services for people with gambling problems," he notes.
But Chad Hills, a gambling analyst with Focus on the Family, joins others like Congressman Goodlatte who think the measure is enormous progress against the growing American addiction statistics just to declare electronic online gambling illegal.
"This is a huge step," Hills offers. "Since the late 1990s, we've been trying to get some kind of ban prohibiting Internet gambling."
Hills has an answer for critics like Whyte who claim the legislation is merely political because it provides no money for addiction treatment, and for others who say it is useless to attempt to regulate the Internet.
"Right now, we have enough problem and pathological gamblers to fill more than 214 NFL stadiums to capacity," Hills says. "Imagine if we brought a casino into every living room in America that had Internet access." The Focus on the Family analyst says the bill is necessary not only for the adults who are addicted, but also for the even more computer-savvy younger gamblers who could get hooked online more quickly.
The House bill still must go to and through the Senate, where no similar legislation is in process -- and where some are already predicting H.R. 4411's chances are dismal in the more political chamber of Congress.
Stigma Has Disappeared
Concerned Women for America says it is celebrating passage of H.R. 4411, describing gambling as a "dangerous and addictive behavior" that is only exacerbated by the ease and anonymity provided through Internet technology.
"Gambling's stigma disintegrated when it came to the Internet," states Lanier Swann, director of government relations for Concerned Women. "People feel more comfortable participating when gambling is available 24/7 with the click of a mouse." And the use of credit cards for Internet gambling, says CWA, is a growing contributor of debt.
The danger of addictive online gambling is gaining ground, says Swann, making it "just a game" no longer. "People are increasingly isolating themselves from friends and family while they are locking themselves away in the privacy of their rooms," she says. "They are hurting their loved ones by squandering money and time down the Internet drain."
This legislation, Swann adds, will help "take casinos out of ... homes" so that the "constant enticement" on online gambling cannot further fuel addictive behavior.
Among other things, H.R. 4411 arms law enforcement and private parties with tools to prevent illegal online gambling transactions both in the United States and overseas.
