Internet Gambling: UIGEA Regulations Still Undrafted

[The Major]

The U.S. Treasury Department is dragging its feet in writing regulations to accompany a law designed to stop the use of credit cards to pay for Internet gambling. Republican Senator from Kansas, Sam Brownback, went to see Treasure Secretary Henry Paulson on Thursday May 10th to ask why there seems to be a delay.

"Are they going to be committed to enforcing this law," Brownback asked, "and putting the personnel in place that it needs."

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act passed last year, but the Treasury Department has yet to draft the rules for enforcement. Internet gambling is a $12 billion a year industry, and Tom McClusky of the Family Research Council said the pressure to water down the restrictions via the Treasury Department is strong.

"The gambling forces seem to have some friends in those departments that might have been helping write some of those regulations," he said. "It's almost setting up a fourth branch of government – a bureaucracy branch – that decides what laws they want to enforce and what laws they want to basically rewrite."

Back in mid April, a desperate Arizona Senator Jon Kyl tried to force a commitment from Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on the enforcement of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act (UIGEA) in hearings about the "Firing of US Attorneys" scandal. UIGEA makes it illegal for financial institutions to knowingly allow transactions to internet gambling companies.

Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Barney Frank of Massachusetts has called UIGEA the "stupidest law ever passed" and has introduce legislation to combat UIGEA. Southern Nevada Congresswoman, Shelley Berkley has introduced legislation to study the effects of internet gambling as well.

[Uncle B]

Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Barney Frank of Massachusetts has called UIGEA the "stupidest law ever passed" and has introduce legislation to combat UIGEA.

not sure if it's the 'stupidest', but, it's right up there.

there are some really dumb ass laws on the books though...

Southern Nevada Congresswoman, Shelley Berkley has introduced legislation to study the effects of internet gambling as well.

oh good, that should be productive... just like the studys on cow flatulance and the underage drinking studies.

[Juice]

I have been saying from the get go that no regs will ever be written. Not the least bit surprised.