U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BACKS ONLINE GAMBLING REGULATION

10 August 2007

Republican Congressman describes UIGEA as "an outrageous affront" to personal freedom

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul has thrown his support behind Congressman Barney Frank's legislative proposal to regulate and license online gambling in the United States, according to official Congressional sources.

Frank's Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act has been steadily gathering support and if adopted will largely neutralise the controversial Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act passed last year, which prohibits financial transactions with online gambling companies except those involved with horserace betting, fantasy sports and state lotteries.

Describing the UIGEA as an "outrageous affront to individual freedom" Congressman Paul emphasised the importance of respecting the American peoples' right to decide for themselves whether or not they gamble online.

"I believe strongly that the Internet should not be regulated by the Federal Government and believe even more strongly that people should be free to engage in the activities they wish as long as they are willing to take responsibility for their actions," Paul has been quoted as saying.

The Congressman, who is currently serving his tenth Congressional term represents Texas voters and hails from Lake Jackson.

Frank's Bill HR2046 seeks to establish a federal regulatory and enforcement framework to license and monitor online gambling companies. It has won the support of the 700 000 strong Poker Players' Alliance and some 35 Congressional Representatives so far, although the proposal still has a long road to travel.

Congressman Frank and other politicians have repeatedly stressed how important it is for American voters to contact their Congressional representatives to indicate their support for the regulation of online gambling rather than its prohibition.

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