US Congressmen say Tax, Not Ban Online Poker & Web Gambling in New York Post

U.S. Representatives Steve Israel (D-NY) and Pete King (R-NY) published an engaging editorial in the NewYork Post yesterday outlining why they are such staunch supporters to regulate and tax online poker and online gambling instead of banning it.

The article, "Web Gambling: Tax, Don't Ban", helps readers understand whey these two Long Island Congressmen were original co-signers of Barney Frank's Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act (IGREA), HR 2046.

BIGGER FISH TO FRY

In the Congressmen's opinion, the Treasury Department is in charge of a number of jobs, including protecting the president, investigating counterfeit money and tracking terrorist financing.

Now they have been asked "to spend their time and resources going after something far more trivial - people who play cards from their home computers."

They even point out that "Years ago, the Treasury's Secret Service agents used to help Harry Truman put poker games together in the White House. Now they'd be locking him up."

"Frankly, federal law-enforcement officials have bigger fish to fry," the Congressmen emphasize.

Under Frank's bill, online gambling would be licensed and regulated by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and exempt from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). It would also be taxed.

"Simply taxing Web betting would generate significant revenues that could be used for a variety of domestic priorities," the duo point out.

A BAN MAKES THE ILLS THEY AIM TO CURE WORSE; REGULATION CONTROLS THEM

Because US residents will always find ways to gamble online, Israel and King say the ban is misdirected and unenforceable, and ironically leads to an increase of the unprotected environment that the UIGEA claims to address.

That is becuase bans push businesses into the hands of "scam artists and gray market entrepreneurs" into unregulated offshore locations.

The duo point out that the serious issues of protecting underage and problem gamblers, and preventing money laundering and identity theft are far better addressed under a system that is regulated and taxed, adding, "Thankfully, technology now allows companies to address these issues."

"In Britain, where Internet gambling is legal and regulated, technology checks ensure that gamblers are of age and are not problem gamblers; watch lists work to prevent money-laundering."

Israel and King strongly support Barney Frank's IGREA to create a similar regulated environment in the United States, and want readers to understand why they too should support the bill.

POKER & GAMBLING HAS LONG BEEN AN AMERICAN PAST TIME

They close saying, "In the end, there is the question of how much we want government to be involved in our private lives: For many, playing poker with friends on the Internet is a way to unwind at the end of the day. Technology aside, Web gambling isn't so different than the way Americans have relaxed and enjoyed the company of friends for decades."

Their comments about gambling being an American past time echo those in the satirical article by George F. Will in Newsweek's Oct 23rd issue against prohibition of online gambling, which said, "Gambling is, however, as American as the Gold Rush or, for that matter, Wall Street. George Washington deplored the rampant gambling at Valley Forge, but lotteries helped fund his army as well as Harvard, Princeton and Dartmouth. And Washington endorsed the lottery that helped fund construction of the city that now bears his name, and from which has come a stern - but interestingly selective - disapproval of gambling."

Read Related Articles:

More Poker News Articles

HHPT Co-Sponsors Bayou Poker Challenge Ladies Event Dec. 20
12am Wed Nov 25th, 2009

The HighHeelsPokerTour (HHPT), the first all women's poker tour launched on the East coast, will wrap up their 2009 schedule at Harrah's New Orleans on December 20th where they will co-sponsor the Ladies Event #14 no-limit Hold'em at 12 pm.

OPPAGA Reports on Florida's Online Poker Options
12am Tue Nov 24th, 2009

Given that UIGEA permits individual states to regulate online poker, the Florida Legislature's Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) published a report this week presenting three options available to Florida State lawmakers in order to protect consumers from unlawful internet poker: regulate it, prohibit it, or carry on with the status quo pending federal legislation.

BC Poker Champion Arrested, Charged with Manslaughter
12am Tue Nov 24th, 2009

Just two days after taking down the BC Poker Championships Main Event, Sophon Sek of Cloverdale, BC, was arrested in connection with one of the most storied crimes in the Province's history.

Local Businessman Bags European Poker Tour Vilamoura Bling
12am Sun Nov 22nd, 2009

The European Poker Tour rolled into the Casino Vilamoura last week, instantly generating the richest poker prize pool in the nation of Portugal's history.

Keikoan Captures Harvey's Lake Tahoe WSOPC Championship
12am Thu Nov 19th, 2009

This week marked the finale of the biggest annual tournament series in Northern Nevada, the WSOP Circuit championship at Harvey's Lake Tahoe. While the Main Event saw only a modest turnout, it did boast of a tough final table, and a WSOP bracelet owner as the eventual champion.

WSOP Main Event Champ Joe Cada to Appear on Letterman
12am Wed Nov 18th, 2009

The poker world will receive some late night attention tonight as "The Kid" Joe Cada, the youngest champion in the four decade history of the World Series of Poker Main Event, takes a seat next to embattled talk show host David Letterman.

First Korean Champ of Asia Pacific Poker Tour Crowned in Cebu
12am Tue Nov 17th, 2009

Another stop on the Asia Pacific Poker Tour is in the books, this time it's the APPT Cebu in the Philippines, and for the very first time a Korean player has come out on top.

Pollack Done as Commish of World Series of Poker
12am Sat Nov 14th, 2009

Just three days after crowning Joe Cada as the 2009 Main Event champion, officially closing the special 40th anniversary run of the World Series of Poker, Jeffrey Pollack has resigned his post as Commissioner of the WSOP.

Durrrr Signs as Team Full Tilt's Youngest Member
12am Wed Nov 11th, 2009

Tom "durrrr" Dwan is the newest member of Team Full Tilt, the online site's highest level of affiliation. At 23, Dwan is the youngest of the now 14-person team. The high stakes cash phenomenon was nominated for induction this year into the Poker Hall of Fame until the Hall of Fame Governing Council decided he was too young to meet the "has stood the test of time" qualification.

Joe Cada Becomes Youngest World Series of Poker Main Event Champ
12am Tue Nov 10th, 2009

History was made early Tuesday morning in Las Vegas as 21-year-old Joe Cada outlasted Darvin Moon in heads-up play to claim the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event bracelet and more than $8.5 million.