U.S. House Votes to Block Web Gambling Payments
WASHINGTON -- As reported by Reuters: ``The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to outlaw credit-card payments to Internet casinos, hoping to choke the offshore gambling sites that draw billions of dollars from U.S. customers.
``The House passed the measure by a vote of 319 to 104, overriding the objections of lawmakers who said it could encourage online bets on horse racing, lotteries and other forms of state-approved gambling untouched by the measure.
``The bill did not include criminal penalties but supporters hope to add them after the Senate passes its bill. The Senate Banking and Finance Committee has held hearings on a similar bill but has not yet scheduled a vote.
``The lopsided House vote masked the controversial nature of the bill as lawmakers debated for hours the best way to block unregulated Web sites while not upsetting the thicket of state, local and tribal regulations that govern gambling in the United States.
``...Lawmakers instead sought to prevent credit-card payments and other money transfers to gambling sites, an approach already taken up voluntarily by many credit-card providers..."
- June 11, 2003
WASHINGTON -- As reported by Reuters: ``The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to outlaw credit-card payments to Internet casinos, hoping to choke the offshore gambling sites that draw billions of dollars from U.S. customers.
``The House passed the measure by a vote of 319 to 104, overriding the objections of lawmakers who said it could encourage online bets on horse racing, lotteries and other forms of state-approved gambling untouched by the measure.
``The bill did not include criminal penalties but supporters hope to add them after the Senate passes its bill. The Senate Banking and Finance Committee has held hearings on a similar bill but has not yet scheduled a vote.
``The lopsided House vote masked the controversial nature of the bill as lawmakers debated for hours the best way to block unregulated Web sites while not upsetting the thicket of state, local and tribal regulations that govern gambling in the United States.
``...Lawmakers instead sought to prevent credit-card payments and other money transfers to gambling sites, an approach already taken up voluntarily by many credit-card providers..."
- June 11, 2003
