[StBernard] Internet Gambling Bill Introduced in the House

[Westley Annis]

March 17, 2011

 

 

Internet Gambling Bill Introduced in the House


WASHINGTON - The Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and
Enforcement Act was introduced in the House today by Congressman John
Campbell (R-CA) with Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) as a leading sponsor.
Congressmen Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) and Peter King (R-NY) are also leading
co-sponsors.   The bill is identical to H.R. 2267 that was passed out of the
House Financial Services Committee on July 28, 2010 with bi-partisan
support.  The bill would establish a federal regulatory and enforcement
framework under which Internet gambling operators could obtain licenses
authorizing them to accept bets and wagers from individuals in the United
States. The legislation comes in response to the enactment of Unlawful
Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which restricted the use of the
payments system for Americans who gamble online.

"I'm pleased to be working with John Campbell as a cosponsor of the bill"
stated Congressman Barney Frank.  "We worked together last year and I think
this promises to be one of those unfortunately rare times when bipartisan
activity can work."

This legislation, which licenses and regulated online gambling, requires
licensees to take appropriate safeguards to prevent fraud, money laundering,
underage and compulsive gambling.  It contains strong protections to prevent
minors from gambling online; prevents inappropriate online advertising
targeted toward underage or compulsive gamblers; clarifies the effect of
this act on Indian tribes; requires consultation with tribes in
implementation; prohibits licensees from accepting bets or wagers from
persons on the self excluded list of compulsive gamblers and persons
delinquent with child support payments; prevents the use of a credit card to
gamble online; clarifies an exception for intrastate and intratribal online
lotteries; prohibits sports betting;  requires that players set financial
loss limits; strengthens regulatory requirements re: integrity and fairness;
bans violators of federal and state gambling laws from obtaining a license;
and requires a substantial U.S. presence as a condition of obtaining a
license.

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