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Barney Frank Set to Introduce Law to Regulate Online Gambling
May 5th, 2009
* Frank comments on gambling study bill
* Report: U.S. could make $52B by lifting online gambling ban
* Wall Street Journal Europe: U.S. should regulate online gambling
Rep Barney Frank (D-Mass) today announced plans to introduce a bill this week that would provide a framework for the regulation of online gambling. Frank has been a long-time proponent of legalizing and regulating online gambling as opposed to the prohibitive approach taken by the Bush Administration.
In a statement, Frank said his legislation “”will enable Americans to bet online and put an end to an inappropriate interference with their personal freedom.” His framework is expected to provide a number of safeguards to answer the fears of opponents who have raised concerns about problem gambling, underage gamblers, money laundering, and so on.
Frank’s timing may prove to be critical - a bill that would tax legal online gambling to the tune of some 50 billion a year in additional revenue could garner unique support at this point in the economic crisis currently facing the US.
“We applaud Chairman Frank’s strong leadership to advance a common sense approach to regulate Internet gambling and reverse the intrusive, ineffective and burdensome prohibition,” said Jeffrey Sandman, spokesperson for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative. “Despite the current prohibition, millions of Americans wager more than $100 billion annually with offshore Internet gambling operators. Rather than tell Americans what they can and cannot do online in the privacy of their homes, Chairman Frank’s approach to regulate Internet gambling would protect consumers and allow the U.S. to generate billions in new revenue to fund critical government programs.” |
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