Every time I read an article like this I get annoyed as all hell. Drives me nuts when these self important assholes try and tell me how I can spend my money. I find internet poker boring so I mainly stick to offline stuff so i would barely notice it other than another fucking intrusion into my rights and privacy. I can't stand "values voters" and their politicians with a passion as their only goal in life is to control your life and make sure you conform to their religious/moral beliefs.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/04/wa...4gambling.html
Interest Groups Lining Up to Lobby on Web Gambling
E-MailPrint Reprints Save By KATE PHILLIPS
Published: July 4, 2006
WASHINGTON, July 3 — While Internet gamblers lay down big money on World Cup soccer this summer, teams of lobbyists are facing off on Capitol Hill in a contest over whether the United States should choke off the growth of wagering on the Web.
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Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press
Representative Jim Leach, Republican of Iowa, co-sponsor of bill to cut back Internet gambling.
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Faced with bills to curb online betting, which attracts an estimated $12 billion a year in wagers worldwide, an array of interest groups like casinos here and abroad, as well as sports leagues, antigambling coalitions and even poker players, has dispatched lobbyists to argue what should be legal and what should not.
Major League Baseball wants to make sure that any measures do not diminish fantasy sports games, which it credits for a resurgence in its popularity.
The big Las Vegas casinos, which have been neutral over online betting, have embraced a proposal in the House to establish a study commission. Convenience stores are watching to see whether sales of lottery tickets might be affected, though Powerball seems to be safe for now.
The horse racing industry seems sanguine, but dog tracks are worried. Offshore casinos are fighting any restrictions.
The Justice Department has always considered Internet gambling illegal. But that has not stopped online wagering from flourishing.