Nation Moves to Limit Online Gambling

In recent elections, Republicans have used a need for "smaller government" to boost support. Now Congress is preparing to restrict all Americans from onlne gambling.

Salem-News.com

(Washington D.C.) - A major effort is underway in Washington D.C. to restrict online gambling in private homes. The US House of Representatives is backing a bill which aims to clamp down on those who choose to cyber gamble.

If sucessful, The bill will limit Internet gaming by making it illegal for US-based banks and credit card firms to make payments to online gambling sites.

It is estimated that the industry has grown to more than $12 billion a year worldwide, and half from American gamblers.

It is not clear whether the Senate will enact the law prior to the upcoming November elections.

'Politically motivated'

Some critics are attacking the proposals as an "outrageous" measure, claiming it aims to stir up the more conservative sectors of society ahead of the elections - and so boost the Republican party's chances.

In a familiar tone, one of the bill's sponsors, Republican Bob Goodlatte, claimed the plans aimed to control a "scourge on society" which causes "innumerable problems".

The plans have come under close scrutiny from some sites in the UK according to the BBC. Sites such as Partygaming and 888 Holdings - owners of 888.com - are concerned that earnings will suffer if the US government does clamp down on online gaming.

Gambling is illegal in many parts of the US, but internet gaming firms like 888 have millions of US customers, because they are based offshore in countries that allow gambling and are out of reach of US laws.

The bill would make it illegal to accept payments from people who live where federal or state law prohibits betting.