Congress Passes Act to Curb Online GamblingIt Was Slipped Through on the Back of Port Security Bill |
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It took a backdoor move by the Senate Majority leader, but the bill designed to curb online gambling in the United States has passed.
Sen. Bill Frist helped get the Internet gambling ban attached to a defense bill designed to boost security at nation's ports. The bill passed Saturday.
The bill calls for banks to work with the federal government to stop transactions between customers in the US and offshore gaming companies. The bill makes it illegal for banks and credit card companies to make transactions with online gambling companies.
The bill considers online poker a form of gambling. Recently, online poker sites have worked harder to expand their customer base outside the United States, where about 80 percent of online poker players live.
The bill would not target players but does call for prison time for people who run online gaming companies. Banks that don't comply with the bill may also face punishment. A representive from the Independent Community Bankers of America testified to the House that its members will have trouble enforcing the act.
The United States is moving in an opposite direction concerning this issue compared to the rest of the world. The United Kingdom recently moved to tax and regulate online gambling sites, and the European Union has made it clear that it considers online gambling a product that should be allowed to be freely traded.
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