U.S. House to Vote on Anti-Online Gambling Act 334
SonicSpike writes to mention that the House is set to vote on an act designed to choke off the U.S. money flow to internet gambling. Though illegal here in the states, overseas operators are getting a good deal of business from individuals with U.S. bank accounts and credit cards. From the article: "The legislation would make it illegal for banks and credit card companies to make payments to these sites. It also allows law enforcement officials to force Internet service providers to remove links to the websites. Many major credit card companies already refuse to process such payments. Opponents of the bill, including online gambling sites and a new group representing U.S. poker players, noted the growing popularity of Internet gambling and predicted that people would continue to sidestep laws."
Re:easy workaround (Score:2, Informative)
A quick history of payment in the industry. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Idiots (Score:3, Informative)
I call your bluff, and raise you a fact.
All individual gambling income is taxed at the federal level. OTB and lotteries are done at the state level, and not at the federal level. This is simply the latest addition to a long history of federal anti-gambling bills -- not really news at all:
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/1082.html [cornell.edu]f all01/Internet_Gambling/Publish/page12.html [unc.edu]
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/1084.html [cornell.edu]
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/1955.html [cornell.edu]
http://www.unc.edu/courses/law357c/cyberprojects/
Re:They won't get rid of it (Score:4, Informative)
"Did you really think we want those laws observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them to be broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against... We're after power and we mean it... There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced or objectively interpreted - and you create a nation of law-breakers - and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Reardon, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be
much easier to deal with."
Re:They won't get rid of it (Score:3, Informative)
In the US itself, it's not a Federal matter. Gambling is left up to the States although on land such as Reservations it is pretty much open since it's not against Federal law. Different States have different laws concerning gambling. In some States gambling in all forms except the State lottery is illegal (heck, there may be States without a lottery I don't know...). In others only a few types are legalised. In others many forms are, but require licensing by the State.
In my own state Casinos are legal, provided they are on riverboats...and the State is essentially part-owner of the operations. There is also a state-run lotto, betting on horseracing is legal at licensed betting parlors, and gaming machines are legal but again require a license. On the other hand private wagers for money, private card games for money, and other such gambling is illegal because the State can't rip people off...but such things happen anyway.
Re:They won't get rid of it (Score:3, Informative)
From Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.
Re:They won't get rid of it (Score:4, Informative)
Marijuana tax stamps were instituted by the "Marihuana Tax Act of 1937", which enacted federal statutes. I've never heard of state marijuana tax stamps.
Can you tell me which states these are? Or at least name one? Preferrably with a citation.
The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, under which no stamps were ever sold (There is an anecdote about someone successfully getting them once, but I don't recall it giving any detail after that) was developed under the interstate commerce clause in the constitution and had two primary purposes. One was to protect paper and plastic industries - a lot of the lobbying involved here was on the part of Charles DuPont. Did you know Henry Ford once made a prototype vehicle made almost entirely out of hemp plastic, down to body panels and structural members? The other was to demonize blacks and mexicans, who were competing with white americans for jobs during the great depression. This was a highly successful campaign that painted marijuana as a drug of the evil blacks and mexis.
Everyone should keep in mind at all times that the war on drugs is a war on personal freedom (see: bill hicks) and that the government operates by keeping us separated from one another so we don't gang up on them.
My friend will be on CNN discussing it tonight... (Score:2, Informative)