New Bill Sparks Fears, Accusations

May 14, 2009

The new online gambling bill that has been introduced by Rep. Barney Frank was met with a hailstorm of criticism from the anti online gambling groups, and major kudos from those that are for the overturning of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, or UIGEA. Both groups have an agenda and there is really no meeting in the middle.

The anti online gambling groups say that by overturning it they will be opening their country up to all kinds of hazards, such as money laundering and online gambling addiction. They say that ex President Bush did the right thing in keeping online gambling illegal and that President Obama should be focusing on things such as health care and the environment before he and members of Congress spend time on an online gambling bill.

Those that are for the online gambling regulation and taxation bill say that they could not be happier to finally see some legislation that might overturn the UIGEA. They say that by regulating online gambling they will be able to make it safer for those that are participating in it anyway, and it is a great way for the country to make a lot of money working on it. They say that those that are against it are making up studies that have no backing in as far as an increase in online gambling addiction, etc.

While it is true that there would be more access to online gambling, studies have shown that not only does a ban keep people from participating; it only makes them gamble unsafely. The studies all show that online gambling increased when it was made illegal, and that the majority of Americans want it legalized. They also show that worrying about addiction is not a real fear.

 

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