Legalize online gambling

LA Times ^ | 6/09/2006 | Editorial

[Roamin53]

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES is due to vote soon on proposals to ban online gambling, and the deck seems stacked in favor of sound bites over sound policy. Federal law already outlaws businesses from using phone lines to place or receive bets across state lines, particularly when the bets are on sporting events. That restriction, although it's not a clear ban on Internet gambling, has stopped the country's major casinos from taking bets online. What it hasn't done is stop Web users from gambling around the clock at offshore sites, often based in Central America and the Caribbean. According to one estimate, offshore sites offering poker games, sports betting and casino-style gambling collect $12 billion a year, about half of it coming from American wallets.

In response, the House Judiciary Committee approved a bill last month that would explicitly ban online gambling businesses of all kinds. Even worse, to cut off the money supply for virtual gaming, the committee also backed a bill that would impose significant new regulatory burdens on financial companies, which would be barred from supporting electronic wagers or payouts. The bills are expected to be consolidated and debated on the House floor this month.

[Roamin53]

I seldom agree with the LA Times but can only think that this is a Lobbyist funded Indian Gaming effort or just another attempt by the Feds to control our behavior. They even want to have your ISP give you a 404 error (shades of Red China). My father taught me to play poker with pennies when I was about 5...he'd hate this.

[Screamname]

Online gambling is already legal...It`s called the stock market.

[Centurion2000]

Why anyone would expect a computer gambling program to be scrupulously fair and random is beyond me.

[Dinsdale]

I would'nt (you realize that includes many state lotterys).

But online sports books are as fair and reliable as any.

[Paleo Conservative]

I think it should be really easy to access your home equity to play online poker. All you'd need to do is type in the account numbers and your betting limits.

[frogjerk]

Legalize it where brick and mortar casinos are already legal.

Poker Ping!

Freepmail me if you want on the Poker Ping List.

[MikefromOhio]

And where there is riverboat gambling....

[Hildy]

Do you expect INdian Casino slot machines to be scrupulously fair and random?

[angkor]

"But the fact that the House bills wouldn't outlaw online betting on horse racing, which Congress allowed states to authorize in 2000, seems to belie the sincerity of the effort."

Phew. Had me nervous for a moment.

[Centurion2000]

Do you expect INdian Casino slot machines to be scrupulously fair and random?

Nope, I only gamble with my life, not my money.

[Centurion2000]

Even worse, to cut off the money supply for virtual gaming, the committee also backed a bill that would impose significant new regulatory burdens on financial companies, which would be barred from supporting electronic wagers or payouts

Where the hell are they going to find justification in the Const. for this?

[frogjerk]

Do you expect INdian Casino slot machines to be scrupulously fair and random?

There has never been any slot machine created that is fair and random. Buyer beware.

Before I enter a casino I find out from reviews, friends, and others whether the establishment is "fair".

[R.W.Ratikal]

Government already encourages gambling. Almost every state has the numbers game (lottery) monopolized and spends millions of advertising dollars enticing the suckers to bet the numbers. Casinos are common.

"Gamming Commissions" (officials avoid the word gambling like the plague.) have replaced the Mafia as the general supervisors of gambling.

Gambling is hardly among man's highest virtues and is harmful to the individual. Because of the fiction that government is supposed to promote the general welfare of the people it's a shame that government has become the biggest game in town.

Notice that having made it easier to become addicted to gambling, government now magnanimously sets up "hot" lines where habitual gamblers can get "help."

It's a good bet that legalized drugs and prostitution will soon follow. Aalready we have the words "recreational drugs" instead of heroin and cocaine, and "sex workers" instead of whores.

[The Duke]

So, are you saying that Mr. Potter won?

Are we wallowing in Pottersville?

[Ghengis]

Wrote my Congressman on this issue. Its to pay back powerful brick and mortar gambling interests AND to enable further prying into our financial records.