Dear Josh,
Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 4411, the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue and welcome the opportunity to respond.
H.R. 4411 seeks to prevent the use of certain payment instruments, credit cards, and fund transfers for unlawful Internet gambling by updating the 1961 Wire Act to clarify the forms of lawful communications, and specify which gambling businesses are covered by federal law. Internet Gambling is already illegal. Credit card companies, on a voluntary basis, already utilize mechanisms to stop this activity. H.R. 4411 does not change the legality of any gambling-related activity in the united states. For instance, if use of Internet in connection with dog racing is approved by state regulatory agencies does not violate any Federal law, then it is allowed under the new legislation.
I voted in support of H.R. 4411 because we as a society needed to address the social and economic impact associated with problem gambling. Presently, a $12 billion off-shore gaming industry evades our nation's laws. Efforts to prevent underage and pathological gambling are particularly challenging due to the high level of anonymity afforded to Internet gamblers. It is important to note, this bill does not set out to attack adult on-line gamers or poker players individually. However, the bottom line is that this is, and always has been, against the law.
H.R. 4411 was agreed to in the House on July 11, 2006 and awaits further legislative review within the Senate. Please know that I will keep your thoughts in mind should additional legislation regarding Internet gambling come before me on the House floor.
Again, thank you for contacting me. It is an honor to serve you in Washington. If you would like more information on issues, or would like to share your thoughts with me via e-mail, you may visit my website at sullivan.house.gov. Please do not hesitate to contact me again should you have further concerns on federal leglislation or problems.
Sincerely,
John Sullivan
Member of Congress
Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 4411, the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue and welcome the opportunity to respond.
H.R. 4411 seeks to prevent the use of certain payment instruments, credit cards, and fund transfers for unlawful Internet gambling by updating the 1961 Wire Act to clarify the forms of lawful communications, and specify which gambling businesses are covered by federal law. Internet Gambling is already illegal. Credit card companies, on a voluntary basis, already utilize mechanisms to stop this activity. H.R. 4411 does not change the legality of any gambling-related activity in the united states. For instance, if use of Internet in connection with dog racing is approved by state regulatory agencies does not violate any Federal law, then it is allowed under the new legislation.
I voted in support of H.R. 4411 because we as a society needed to address the social and economic impact associated with problem gambling. Presently, a $12 billion off-shore gaming industry evades our nation's laws. Efforts to prevent underage and pathological gambling are particularly challenging due to the high level of anonymity afforded to Internet gamblers. It is important to note, this bill does not set out to attack adult on-line gamers or poker players individually. However, the bottom line is that this is, and always has been, against the law.
H.R. 4411 was agreed to in the House on July 11, 2006 and awaits further legislative review within the Senate. Please know that I will keep your thoughts in mind should additional legislation regarding Internet gambling come before me on the House floor.
Again, thank you for contacting me. It is an honor to serve you in Washington. If you would like more information on issues, or would like to share your thoughts with me via e-mail, you may visit my website at sullivan.house.gov. Please do not hesitate to contact me again should you have further concerns on federal leglislation or problems.
Sincerely,
John Sullivan
Member of Congress
