Take steps to curb gaming on Internet

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Critics find a lot of reasons the U.S. House of Representative’s recent legislation to curb Internet gambling cannot succeed:

* Online gambling is extremely widespread, originating mostly outside the boundaries and influence of the United States.

* As many as 80 countries allow it in some form. There are already some 2,500 Internet gambling sites, and the number is growing rapidly.

* Many religious organizations won’t get behind the bill because it fails to flat-out target all gambling. It specifically excludes horse racing and existing state gambling operations, such as Powerball, and does not prohibit fantasy sports games, which Major League Baseball credits for a resurgence of its own popularity.

* Policing the Internet may be virtually impossible.

* The coincidence of the upcoming congressional elections and introduction of the legislation causes suspicion.   Previous attempts to outlaw Internet gambling acquired an odor when they were defeated by, among other forces, now-disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

* If people want to gamble online, they are going to find a way to do it. Millions of people are trying their hands at the $12-billion-a-year business.

* The U.S. Senate doesn’t show the same zeal as the House, and the bill has only a slim chance to go through this year.

* Legislation infringes on individual rights to privacy through computer use at home.

* The United States should, like England, consider regulating and taxing it.

Yet, despite these negative aspects, the House is on firm ground in attempting to address the problem, which certainly will only get worse.

Supporters find worthy reasons for the effort to go forward:

* Internet betting can be a problem for gamblers. The Internet is addictive for many people anyway, said Rep. John Duncan Jr., R-Texas, and online gambling can be doubly addictive.

* Online gambling is particularly attractive to younger people. (A former Lehigh University class president recently pleaded guilty to robbing a bank to pay online poker debts).

* According to one of the bill’s sponsors, strong opposition by many offshore Internet gambling sites proves the legislation would be effective. The offshore operations are sucking billions of dollars out of the country.

The bill’s strength lies in its efforts to put a brake on the outflow of money. It would make it illegal for financial institutions to process payments to offshore casinos through bettors’ electronic funds and other e-wallet transactions.

It updates the Wire Act of 1961, which outlawed transmission of betting over telephone lines, to now outlaw online gambling through any communication network. Criminal penalties were also made more severe. 

The measure would empower law enforcement authorities to work with Internet providers to block access to gambling Web sites.

All three representatives in Nebraska’s delegation — Republicans Jeff Fortenberry, Lee Terry and Tom Osborne — voted to approve the measure, and the Bush administration has expressed overall support.

The House is to be lauded for tackling the problem. The bill doesn’t pretend to wrestle Internet gambling to the ground, but it does introduce some sorely needed oversight. It now deserves timely consideration by the Senate.