[jamby]

Some time ago I contacted my Illinois Senator **** Durbin's office in regard to my concerns of the proposed H.R. 4411. Thought I'd share with you all the email that I received today from Senator Durbin.

This seemed like an appropriate forum to place this thread in. Mods, feel free to move it if you see fit.

-jamby

Thank you for your message regarding Internet gambling and H.R. 4411, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2005. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.

The debate over Internet gambling has generated strong public interest.
Most types of Internet gambling operations are prohibited under federal
law, yet many Internet gambling operations are based in foreign countries
and are beyond the jurisdiction of American enforcement agencies.
Overall, Americans spend roughly $4 billion to $6 billion a year on
Internet gambling. Because of the largely unregulated nature of this
business, Internet gambling sites often fail to block access to gambling
by children and often lack effective safeguards against fraud. Further,
Internet gambling can be addictive, and this addiction has had a harmful
effect on some individuals and communities.

H.R. 4411 would address Internet gambling by prohibiting those who are in
the business of gambling from knowingly accepting credit cards, checks,
electronic fund transfers or similar financial instruments in connection
with unlawful Internet gambling. The bill would impose fines and/or
prison sentences on violators. The bill also requires the Secretary of
the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board to issue regulations directing
banks and other financial transaction providers to adopt practices to
enable them to identify and prevent restricted transactions that support
Internet gambling.

I agree that stronger steps should be taken to prevent unlawful Internet
gambling. As we craft laws and regulations that address this problem, we
must work with law-abiding financial transaction providers to ensure that
we do not impose unrealistic or overly burdensome requirements on those
providers.

H.R. 4411 passed the House of Representatives on July 11, 2006. The
Senate Majority Leader has the discretion to bring this bill before the
full Senate for consideration at a time of his choosing. I will keep your
concerns in mind in case H.R. 4411 or related legislation is debated on
the Senate floor.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

[smoore]

Translated:

Originally Posted by **** D

Overall, Americans spend roughly $4 billion to $6 billion a year on
Internet gambling.

I think it's funny your Senator's first name is filtered.

But yeah, that's basically what I got back from my congress critters too, only they weren't so crass ast to say it was actually about money. I'd want a source for that number though, it sounds like the 37.25% of statistics that are pulled from one's arse.

[shaft]

Im tired of out elected leaders passing laws because of a few people cant handle themselves. Sure gambling is addictive, but most of us know when to say when. You lose your bankroll, work to build it back up. Dont mortgage the house becuase you took a bad beat.


On the other hand, I was in a casino a number of years ago and overheard a guy and his wife talking with a Casino mgmt person about putting up their house as collateral for a loan. I couldnt believe it, oh well, if you both are that dumb then you deserve to lose the house.