Scripps News
8/2/06
House bets badly on bill
<!-- begin content -->Commentary
Editorial
Government would be a lot more effective if it didn't put its paws into so many things with which it can't really deal.
Consider the recent passage by the U.S. House of a bill to ban gambling on the Internet. The bill's impressive, if untruthful, name: The Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act. This is one of those political appeals to morality that contain exceptions for special interests _ here, horse racing, Indian-tribe-owned (if not -run) casinos and state lotteries.
You almost get the impression that U.S. gambling interests pushed this bill through in order to keep foreign (competing) gambling Web sites from being easily accessible to American players. Given the Internet's international nature, however, there would be virtually no way to enforce the silly bill. Of course, you could always try banning the Internet.
This is not to say that controls aren't called for; to wit, age-specific software and cross-referencing such items as driver's-license numbers to reduce young people's gambling. And, of course, all Internet transactions can be tracked, which could help with problem gambling and fraud.
Still, the House bill is ridiculous, and the Senate should deep-six it.
http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/10601
8/2/06
House bets badly on bill
<!-- begin content -->Commentary
Editorial
Government would be a lot more effective if it didn't put its paws into so many things with which it can't really deal.
Consider the recent passage by the U.S. House of a bill to ban gambling on the Internet. The bill's impressive, if untruthful, name: The Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act. This is one of those political appeals to morality that contain exceptions for special interests _ here, horse racing, Indian-tribe-owned (if not -run) casinos and state lotteries.
You almost get the impression that U.S. gambling interests pushed this bill through in order to keep foreign (competing) gambling Web sites from being easily accessible to American players. Given the Internet's international nature, however, there would be virtually no way to enforce the silly bill. Of course, you could always try banning the Internet.
This is not to say that controls aren't called for; to wit, age-specific software and cross-referencing such items as driver's-license numbers to reduce young people's gambling. And, of course, all Internet transactions can be tracked, which could help with problem gambling and fraud.
Still, the House bill is ridiculous, and the Senate should deep-six it.
http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/10601
