U.S.
Bill To Ban Internet Gambling Introduced
From Reuters
A bill to ban all forms of gambling on the Internet
was introduced
Wednesday by several U.S. senators.
"Given the tremendous potential for abuse,
addiction and access
by minors, online gambling should be prohibited,"
Sen. Jon
Kyl, an Arizona Republican, said. He was joined
by two other Republicans
and three Democrats in offering the bill.
Currently, only computer gambling on sports events
is prohibited.
The legislation would extend criminal penalties
to companies who
offer all types of computer gambling.
Communications companies regulated by the U.S.
Federal Communications
Commission would be required to discontinue services
to any companies
they carry that offer gambling.
Kyl said the bill also eliminates ambiguity about
the definition
of bets and wagers to make any form of online
betting illegal.
The bill was introduced on the same day as the
U.S. Supreme Court
heard arguments about a 1996 law banning transmission
of sexually
explicit material on the Internet to anyone younger
than 18.
The Clinton administration argued that the law
should be upheld
to protect young children. Opponents said it violated
free-speech
rights of adult Internet users and should be found
unconstitutional.
A decision in the case is due by July. |
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