Online Gambling Law to Be Protected

August 8, 2007

Focus on the Family, as well as other conservative and pro-family organizations are urging their government to protect the integrity of the online gambling law that was passed last year. They say that the online casinos are part of what is wrong with this world, and the law that made all online gambling illegal should be protected, not removed.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) makes all processing of payments for online gambling illegal. However, now groups from all sides are trying to get the online gambling law repealed, and possibly start regulating the online casinos instead. They say that there is a lot of money that can be made from online gambling and if they tax and regulate the online casinos everyone wins.

However, those opposed to repealing the online gambling law have sent a letter to all of the members of the House and the Senate breaking down their concerns for changing or repealing the law. They say that with Americans responsible for about half of the $15.5 online gambling industry, and lotteries and commercial and tribal casinos spread across the country, the last thing this country needs is online gambling as it only allows foreign and domestic online casinos to “invade” their homes.

They are urging their governmental leaders to oppose the variety of bills that are currently under discussion that would change the online gambling bill. They cite Rep. Barney Frank’s bill that would give online casinos exemptions from laws, Rep. Robert Wexler’s bill which would remove online poker and games of skill from the UIGEA, and Rep. Jim McDermott’s bill which would license and tax online casinos. They say that it is about protecting people and not the almighty dollar.

Back to August 2007 Archive.