The House Judiciary Committee Hears From Online Gambling Supporters

November 17, 2007

On November 14th the House Judiciary Committee heard from supporters and opponents on the legalization of online gambling.

The U.S. Department of Justice and other committee members spoke out about online gambling being a bad influence for society while the supporters argued that the Internet Gaming Enforcement Act violates World Trade Organization treaties and also seems to be slightly hypocritical concerning overseas wagering.

Joseph Weiler, of New York University’s Hauser Global Law School says, “The U.S. bans online gambling offered by overseas operators even though it made treaty commitments to allow it and even though it allows online wagering domestically, including for horse racing,” he told the committee. “We should bring our law and conduct into compliance with our international legal obligations. Our country is the trend setter and leader in so many international arenas. Whether we like it or not, we lead by example.”

Some feel that the US financial institutions are also acting as the ‘morality police’, Professional poker player Annie Duke told the House Judiciary Committee that, “What’s at stake here is the right of individual Americans to do what they want in the privacy of their homes without the intrusion of the government,” Duke told the committee. “This country was among the first to embrace the idea that there should be distinct limits on the ability of the government to control or direct the private affairs of its citizens. More than any other value, America is supposed to be about freedom. Except where one’s actions directly harm another person’s life, liberty, or property, our government is supposed to leave citizenry alone.”

Jeffery Sandman from the Safe and Secure Internet Initiative had this to say, “Instead of prohibiting Internet gambling, which is futile and denies Americans the freedom to decide whether to gamble online, the government should regulate and tax Internet gambling. Regulated Internet gambling would ensure proven and effective security controls are available to protect consumers and capture billions in revenue that is needed for critical government programs.”

So far nothing has changed, but neither side is ready to give up yet.

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