TAX INTERNET GAMBLING, DON'T BAN IT

21 November 2008

Chicago columnist urges new US administration to grasp a profitable global cyber vision

 

Popular Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich has urged the Obama administration once in power to overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, thus grasping a profitable global cyber vision.

In an entertaining wish list for the US government-in-waiting, Schmich writes:

"I'd like our incoming president to bring us an image of grasping a profitable global cyber vision.

"Specifically, I want our Poker Player-elect to obliterate the unworkable Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which was deviously attached to the SAFE Port Act in 2006 and hastily rushed to finalization last week by the lame-duck Bush administration.

"The UIGEA makes banks, the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve the watchdogs for illegal transactions on Internet gambling sites by, among others, people who play poker online.

"The money-men told Congress they aren't sure which transactions should be considered illegal, and besides, doesn't the financial sector have bigger things to worry about?

"The point should not be to stop people from playing online poker. The point should be to make money from it. Regulate it, tax it, reap millions. Governments back lotteries, which prey on the stupid. Why should people playing a game of skill such as poker get the criminal treatment?

"Your deal, Mr. President."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-talk-forum-chicagonov18,0,6840302.column