HR 4411: Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act

Please Support the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act -- HR 4411

The Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act, H.R. 4411, sponsored by Reps. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and Jim Leach, R-Iowa, would cut off credit-card payments to illegal Internet-gambling sites -- most of which are offshore -- and give the Justice Department increased ability to prosecute illegal wagering.The House passed it July 11 on a 317-93 vote. It's now in the Senate.Chad Hills, analyst for gambling research and policy for Focus on the Family Action, called it a "fantastic development."

"The bill, in essence, says we will not allow this 'bullet train' to crash into millions of American homes with Internet access," Hills told CitizenLink. "Basically, without it, we could have a casino in every house in America, if Internet casinos can legally operate online."

In recent years, Hills said, gambling on the Internet has exploded. "It's the fastest-growing segment of the worldwide gambling industry," he explained. "Today it's a $12 billion industry -- with half of that estimated to come from the U.S. We're talking about tremendous growth."
Indeed, the growth in online betting has reached such levels that five major sports leagues -- Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and the National Collegiate Athletic Association -- sent a letter to Congress lending their support to the bill. "It just goes to show that this piece of legislation has broad support, not just (among) pro-family groups, but also among major-league professional sports," Brian Newell, government affairs assistant with the Family Research Council, told Family News in Focus.

Hills said it's important that supporters speak up. "I encourage people to contact their senators to get behind this legislation," Hills said. "We need to do something about online gambling, and this bill will be a major step forward."