[StarnetGypsy]

Here come the articles subtly supporting the other side ... what pisses me off about all these articles, pro or con, is that they never mention the millions of $$ lost by American investors in the online sites that went bust or pulled outta the US altogether. Instead of showing how our own Senators ruined the financial portfolio's of its own citizens, they make it sound like the Euro's are making a killing off of our citizens .. cunts.

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WASHINGTON (AP) - The ban on Internet gambling enacted last fall would be overturned under legislation proposed Thursday by a senior House Democrat, but the bill faces long odds in Congress.

Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said the law preventing the use of credit cards to bet online "is an inappropriate interference on the personal freedom of Americans, and this interference should be undone." More bluntly, he has called the ban "one of the stupidest things I ever saw."

Because traditional forms of legal gambling exist in nearly every state, Frank said, a continued prohibition on Internet gambling for Americans leaves those who choose to gamble online "without meaningful consumer protections." He said his bill includes safeguards to ensure that gamblers are at least 18 years old and live in a jurisdiction that permits online gambling, and to prevent compulsive gambling and fraud.

The $12 billion Internet gambling industry is based outside the United States -- most of the companies are British -- though about half of its customers live in America.

Supporters of the U.S. ban maintain that Internet betting can be addictive and potentially drain people's savings, a risk they say is especially acute for young people who are frequently online.

Frank acknowledged that the Democratic leadership of the House likely would not support it. The Bush administration also could be expected to oppose the legislation.

The vote for the ban in the House, for example, was 317-93 last year. Lobbying for it were the horse racing industry and professional sports leagues, which argued that Web wagering could hurt the integrity of their sports. Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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