Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

The Looming Battle Over Online Gambling

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the wto-is-only-good-when-its-convenient dept.

Kadin2048 writes "According to an recent Ars Technica article, the US is headed on a 'collision course' with the WTO over off-shore Internet gambling, if a bill currently in the House of Representatives passes. The 'Internet Gambling Prohibition Act,' (PDF) which updates the 'Wire Act' to prohibit Internet gambling regardless of whether the servers are located in the US or outside of it, is in direct contravention of a WTO ruling. Proponents of the bill claim that it was narrowly defeated in previous incarnations due to the influence of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. However it seems as though some of Abramoff's biggest clients -- brick and mortar casinos -- are really the big winners from passage of this bill, since it does not prohibit gambling in person, only online."

4 of 245 comments (clear)

  1. I wouldn't... by Galston · · Score: 5, Funny

    I wouldn't bet on this ending nicely at all.

  2. Gimme a break! by gasmonso · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is sponsored by US casinos that are losing business to online ones. Instead of pushing through bs legislation, they should have to compete by making their own casinos online. Yet another example of "bought" legislation that serves only the good of corporations.

    http://religiousfreaks.com/
  3. Is this the SAME Congress by bherman · · Score: 5, Interesting

    That was telling google et al to locate their servers offshore to avoid China asking for information from them or asking them to filter content in their search engines......which is it????
    I hate this Congress.....they claim that it would be ok for us to do to another country, but not to our own. I guess their mothers never taught them the golden rule. "Treat others as you want to be treated"

    Screw them.

    --
    Error: Sig not found.
  4. Poker Players Over Here To Unite by cybrpnk2 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Time to join the Poker Player Alliance, which has been specifically formed to fight legislation like this. Besides, they've got a pretty neat T-shirt.