Fighting H.R. 4777, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act

[sdaddy]

According to today's Las Vegas Review-Journal, it is anticipated that these bills will be merged and brought to the House floor by the first or second week of June. Yet Frank Fahrenkopf of the AGA still thinks there may not be enough time in this legislative session to pass them.

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[Renegade]

What it boils down to, and will always boil down too, IS MONEY.
If the politicians can't get their greedy little fingers into everyone's pocket books, then they'll find a way to stop it and make it illegal.
PERIOD.
Money...The ROOT OF ALL EVIL.

 

[Mousey]

Protect me from criminals, don't make me into one!!!

 

[dominique]

Yet Frank Fahrenkopf of the AGA still thinks there may not be enough time in this legislative session to pass them.

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I too think there is not enough time for this to pass.

Happened before that way, and I think it will happen again.

 

[paul02085]

I too think there is not enough time for this to pass.

Happened before that way, and I think it will happen again.

If not enough time, what would happen then?

 

[sdaddy]

If not enough time, what would happen then?

Then the newly-elected Congress would have to start the legislative process all over again from the beginning. This would be a huge setback for the proponents of this bill. Added to that, there's a strong possibility that the House will change to Democrat control next year.

 

[Peaceful1]

not sure if this is a good or a bad thing, but we have received word that Congress will be extending their "in session"/legislative working days, probably all the way up until Christmas (normally recess for the year in October)... but, I too, still do not think there will be enough time for these bills to pass this year, even with the extension of legislative days. With the biggest issue now being the Immigration reform, and the worry of some (about 33) Congressmen on the status of their jobs on the line (this has already been stated in media so I feel safe in saying this ), I think there is still too much to be done (in the process) for these bills to pass.

 

[paul02085]

I sure hope you are right. Will keep my fingers crossed.

 

[Peaceful1]

More reasons for a "drawn out" debate...

More reason to believe (at least have good hope) these bills will not pass in time:

Checking out the recently submitted report from the House Committee on the Judiciary for H.R.4411, there is a section "Dissenting Views" submitted by Rep. Ron Paul of Texas:

Outdated URL (Invalid)

Although his argument is highly speculative (IMO), and I disagree with some of the undertones of his proposed "scenarios" of what could happen if H.R.4411 would pass, Rep. Paul is avidly against this bill and encourages his colleagues to not support it. Known for his libertarian standpoints, his bottom line, as Rep. Paul states, is:
"In conclusion, H.R. 4411 violates the constitutional limits on federal power."


The Introduction of H.R. 5474

H.R. 5474 - To create a commission to study the proper response of the United States to the growth of Internet gambling. (Introduced in House) (link: Outdated URL (Invalid) )

Mentioned in Casinomeister's news section, H.R. 5474 is the newly proposed bill which would develop an Internet Study Commission to thoroughly examine all issues involved in the controversy of online gambling.

*The key here - it is an 18-month study


My personal opinion:
(Let's hope that this bill will be considered and move along in the process, IMO this is the best hope that we have in AT LEAST delaying the prohibition of Internet gambling. More importantly, a detailed report from such a commission could provide FACT, whether positive or negative. This would be presented to the opponents of Internet gambling, who may be basing their opposition on speculation or generalization.)

Also, this is an election year (for State Representatives and Senators).

One of the reasons we (GPO) will be inundated with volumes of work, (not only all of the issues at hand), but members of Congress are not being shy about voicing their views to show that they are being active, thus trying to gain/maintain support.

 

[Westland Bowl]

The introduction of HR5474 notwithstanding (see Cythnia777's post above), the HR4777 picked up another sponsor yesterday from Arizona bringing the total co-sponsors to 145. Tom Delay is still listed among the co-sponsors.

 

[sdaddy]

The introduction of HR5474 notwithstanding (see Cythnia777's post above), the HR4777 picked up another sponsor yesterday from Arizona bringing the total co-sponsors to 145. Tom Delay is still listed among the co-sponsors.

Well, Tom DeLay officially left the House last week, so there's now one less co-sponsor.

And it appears now that H.R. 4777's progress is behind schedule because House leaders had previously stated their intention to bring it to a floor vote within the first two weeks of June.

 

[dominique]

Meanwhile in Washington state....

Link Removed ( Old/Invalid)

 

[Peaceful1]

Unfortunately, individual states can still impose gambling laws within their individual statutes when it comes to gambling. Just like it Maryland, where slot machines themselves are illegal yet Maryland is home to horse racing tracks such as Pimlico and Laurel. And, of course, the State lottery. I agree that (IMO) such matters can reflect a certain type of hypocrisy, and the "slots war" is ongoing in MD, and probably other states as well, where time and time again some lawmakers have tried to obtain legislation that supports slots, but constantly opposed by others. Especially when it comes to simply writing articles about online gaming (in the state of WA), even if the writer quotes that online gaming is illegal in certain jurisdictions, this seems, to me, quite ludicrous to be charged with any type of criminal activity.

 

[AussieDave]

Who'd have thought that Todd would become a casuality of this.

Looks like it's time to say adios USA servers.

 

[dominique]

Well, at least the article is good and in a mainstream publication and makes many good points that hit home with american citizens.

 

[Westland Bowl]

The bill picked up another co-sponsor yesterday from Washington state. The total number of co-sponsors now stand at 146.

 

[thagame24]

realistically, with everything Congress has left on the dockett for this year, is there really any chance of this bill getting through??

 

[Peaceful1]

IMO it looks very unlikely, particularly with the holiday periods coming up for them, and the state elections

 

[dominique]

Same as every previous year.....

 

[paul02085]

i hope so. i have moved most of my funds out of NT until find out.

 

[Westland Bowl]

Damian Dunlap posted this at the Online Players Union:

"House To Vote On Anti-Gaming Bill In July
The anti-gambling bill sponsored by Bob Goodlatte, which seeks to update the Wire Act, will be voted on sometime in July 2006. HR 4777 is among the list of Bills that will be debated on in the House."

 

[sdaddy]

Damian Dunlap posted this at the Online Players Union:

"House To Vote On Anti-Gaming Bill In July
The anti-gambling bill sponsored by Bob Goodlatte, which seeks to update the Wire Act, will be voted on sometime in July 2006. HR 4777 is among the list of Bills that will be debated on in the House."

I don't see any source for that report over at his site. Maybe Cynthia can weigh in on this?

 

[jetset]

ONLINE GAMBLING BAN INCLUDED IN "AMERICAN VALUES AGENDA'

Goodlatte and Leach Bills may be combined and have been passed to the House for debate next month


Further details are now available on the surprise news that the Goodlatte and Leach Bills seeking to hamstring online gambling in the USA have been forwarded on for debate on the floor of the House of Representatives - effectively another step forward for this legislation.

Dennis Hastert, Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, published the list of measures this week. "The American Values Agenda will defend Americas founding principles. Through this agenda, we will work to protect the faith of our people, the sanctity of life and freedoms outlined by our founding fathers," he said.

The two Bills have been included in the 'American Values Agenda being proposed by the majority Republicans in the House of Representatives. The party hopes it will energise conservative activists and voters ahead of the mid-term elections in November.

A Republican spokesperson has revealed that "it is likely" that a combined Goodlatte/Leach bill could be among the first of the bills to go before the full house, possibly in July.

Rep. Jim Leach, whose proposed bill HR 4411 seeks to add credit cards etc. to the list of illegal online gaming payment methods, is reported to be seeking to combine his proposal with that of Rep. Bob Goodlatte to avoid either Bill fouling the progress of the other. Unofficial reports suggest that a deal could be worked out in the near future with Goodlatte, whose bill HR 4777 seeks to modernise the Wire Act.

 

[sdaddy]

Thanks for the update, jetset. Not what I wanted to hear though. I was hoping these bills had quietly drifted into obscurity.

As Cynthia noted earlier, however, time is running short in this session of Congress to get something through. Sometimes bills are brought to a floor vote, especially in an election year, just to make a political statement, knowing that there is little chance that they will eventually become law. I hope that's what's going on here.

"The American Values Agenda will defend Americas founding principles. Through this agenda, we will work to protect the faith of our people, the sanctity of life and freedoms outlined by our founding fathers," he said.

That some nice spin in that press release by Hastert. How is this bill protecting my freedoms? It's doing exactly the opposite.

 

[lots0]

You have the 'FREEDOM' to do what your told...

Thats one of the few freedoms not currently under attack.

That some nice spin in that press release by Hastert.

Too bad so many sheeple will believe him.