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July 22, 2002

Push Renewed to Ban Online Gambling
By Stuart Shepard, correspondent


Gambling opponents in Congress are trying to get House leaders to bring up an Internet gambling ban for a vote.

Internet gambling is on track to become the most common form of gambling in America. Concerned about the resulting flood of bankruptcy, divorce and crime, some members of Congress are working to cut off the money supply.

The congressmen say it is practically impossible to go online or even check your e-mail without being pelted with ads for Internet casinos. With a click of the mouse, Internet users can play a computerized slot machine or place bets on a virtual roulette wheel. But the money being lost is very real, according to Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Ala.

"Gambling targets people in desperate financial situations; it lures them with the promise of easy money," Bachus said. "People find out it's never easy and all gambling games, even state lotteries, are rigged for the house."

Bachus is co-sponsoring a bill that would shut off the power supply for online gambling.

"It prohibits the use of any bank instrument, such as a credit card or a check or electronic funds transfer, for Internet gambling," Bachus said. "Essentially, when they (Internet gaming sites) don't get paid, they don't want to gamble with you."

Guy Clark, a spokesman for the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, said a bill to restrict Internet gambling is past due.

"But when the lobbyists get going for the casino industry, then legislators find lots of reasons to oppose such a bill," Clark said.

Bachus said he's especially concerned about teenagers and college students for whom the Internet is a familiar part of life. He said they may have a false sense of security, not realizing the businesses are actually offshore, often operating in the shadows. There are now an estimated 1,500 Internet gambling sites.

Bachus said he hopes public support will spur the House leadership to bring the Unlawful Internet Gambling Funding Prohibition Act to a vote.