MJ, from another site, so delete if necessary

[TDP]

just figure we are all in this together...This is ridiculous. The rest is pasted...

Internet gambling a haven for terrorists?

Rather than attack Internet gambling head-on as he has in the past, Uncle Sam has found a roundabout way to attempt to stop Americans from gambling online.

Last week, lawmakers in the House's Financial Services Committee successfully added anti-Internet gambling laws to a package of 9/11 anti-terrorism legislation.

If passed into law, the legislation "would bar Internet gambling sites access to the U.S. financial services system by preventing the use of credit cards, wire transfers, or any other bank instruments to fund illegal Internet gaming transactions", according to a committee press release.

So how did Internet gambling get lumped in with America's anti-terrorism efforts?

Apparently the committee that passed the legislation heard testimony from the FBI that said, "Internet gambling is vulnerable for use in terrorist financing schemes".

This latest move to prevent Americans from gambling on the Web comes after anti-Internet gambling bills were passed in both the House of Representatives and in a Senate committee last year.

Thanks to the lobbying efforts by the horseracing industry, the government's gambling legislation would ban sports betting on the Internet, with the exception of horseracing.

When people talk about democracy in the us I am reminded of a Joe walsh song titled "living a life of illusion"...

 

[MrChristo]

I'll tell you a funny/pathetic story from here in Australia.

Gambling is legal is every state...In fact, it is positively encouraged, because a large % of the takings go to the government (both national and state govs). There is (at least) one casino in each state. There are pokie/slot machines in almost every pub/club in the whole country!!

So here's the deal....The conservative government gets lobbied from interest groups to 'protect vunerable citizens' from gambling their life savings away.
Their answer?....(Now this is a true story!!).....Ban betting in-running...on the internet only....within Australia only!!

Let me translate:....I can sit here at home on my computer, and go freely to any of my 15+ 'net books I have accounts with around the world (inc. inside Australia).
Once a game starts....I can bet at HT, in-running, whatever at any of those books outside Australia....But the really bizarre part, is that I can still bet at HT within Australia, I just have to use the phone, not the internet!!!

Honestly, if it wasn't so pathetic, it would be hilarious!!!

Well...I thought it was pathetic!!....It's still sports-betting paradise compared to what you guys have to put up with!! :cursin: