Early this month, three Republicans in the United States House of Representatives are quite disappointed with the efforts of the Senate to restructure laws regarding American online gambling before this year’s Congressional adjournment. They are objecting to what they call a “secretive, closed-door, undemocratic” effort, which are working to regulate and legalize online casino gambling.

It was Mr. Barney Frank who led the act to legalize the activity. A bill he authored passed a House Subcommittee over the summer but had gotten bogged down due to more pressing issues, including the Elections campaign process. Along with him were Representatives Spencer Bachus, an ardent opponent for legalized online gambling, Dave Camp and Lamar Smith. They were the three congressmen who were responsible for overseeing internet gambling starting in January, when Republicans assume control of the House, and claim that the Senate may attempt to attach a pro-gambling measure to “must-pass” legislation in the current lame-duck session of Congress.

These representatives also sent a letter last December 1 to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his Republican counterpart, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. They strongly criticized, “Creating a federal right to gamble that has never existed in our country’s history and imposing an unprecedented new tax regime on such activity require careful deliberation, not back-room deals”. Barney Frank’s law would only apply to legalizing and licensing online poker businesses. “We also are concerned that this new rush to embrace Internet casino gambling might be partially motivated by one of the gravest sins that afflicts this Congress: desperation for more tax dollars to pay for ever-increasing federal spending,” the three lawmakers said in the letter.

“Congress should not take advantage of the young, the weak and the vulnerable in the name of new revenues.” “This became a controversial legislation when it was followed by another bill and it would be “a secretive, closed-door, undemocratic process,” they added.

For the recent years, online gambling has been the main topic in every debates conducted within the Congress. Proponents had realized how important it is to regulate online poker sites in the U.S because it would lead to billions of American dollars being collected as federal tax revenue. This money is currently leaking out of the US and into foreign gambling revenues. In addition, U.S. consumers who enjoy these sites forfeit the protections of U.S. consumer laws.

While those who are disapproving of the action ignored the current availability and ease of access to existing internet gambling sites already servicing Americans, contend that clearly legalizing and regulating the industry would somehow lead United States citizens into making bad fiscal decisions. Another controversial argument was raised, and this time it’s all about their childing – arguing that children may be able to access these sites and be tempted to gamble themselves.

Last July, a bill was passed by a House committee that could potentially legalize online gambling sites in the United States that are licensed by the Treasury Department. Currently this bill has not been passed by the full House or the Senate, and would also need to be signed by the President in order to become law.

By JoeAdams
Joe Adams wrote a 469 words article related to online casino games, bonuses, promotions, news, updates and trivia.