Free Choice | Calling Congress | Opinion Poll | Terrorism | The Industry Speaks | Regulation

The great engine that drives crime, money laundering, gambling by minors, and terrorism? Fact or Fiction?

Quotes and Answers

Quote "makes the economy suffer by draining billions of dollars from the United States and serves as a vehicle for money laundering." Find it here

Answer - Did the good Congressman take the time to note that Internet Casinos do NOT accept cash deposits? Deposits are in fact funded by way of bank transfers. The Patriot Act set very high standard for banks to "know their customers" and to investigate larger transactions. So Mr Goodlatte, unlike the track, or Vegas, or Atlantic City, your fellow citizens deposits into an internet casino account are watched over by banks. In some cases, like with NETeller (an E-Wallet), the monies are even monitored twice. Once by the bank when the e-wallet is funded and once by the e-wallet. NETeller is of course a listed entity on the London Stock Exchange.

Quote " It is time to shine a bright light on theses illegal sites and bring a quick end to illegal gambling on the Internet." Find it here

Answer - Actually Congressman Goodlatte, these casinos sought licenses in jurisdictions where gambling on the internet was not considered illegal. They thus acquired a license to ply the trade of internet gambling, of course on the internet. The United States has chosen to not recognize them but the very fact that they acquired a license, and operate on the internet, does NOT make them illegal sites!

Quote Rick Boucher (D-VA) said "These Internet gambling web sites typically operate offshore and often serve as a prime vehicle for money laundering and other criminal enterprises" Find it here

Answer - Congressman Goodlatte and Congressman Boucher. You imply much by this wide and sweeping statement. Do you care to back this up with facts. Have met many of the owners of these "Internet gambling web sites"? Did you know they were actually NOT terrorists? Would you care to meet them? They are NOT interested in running away.

Question - In your document "Crack down on internet gambling" (read it here), you rightly say that the activity of online gambling is "only a mouse click away". You then go on to say that online gambling is more "more detrimental to minors", thus giving your colleagues the impression that any child can simply open an account, and gamble. Are you saying that you researched this and found this to be the case? The truth of course is that the online casino has some rigorous steps that must be followed in order to make a deposit. The very same steps that allow an online casino to detect potential fraudsters also make it extremely difficult for a minor to gamble. You really should take a look at this before putting fear into the hearts of your co-Congressmen who are no doubt mothers and fathers too. Don't forget Congressman Goodlatte, at the other end of your accusations are mothers and fathers too. They also care about their children and they are not taken in by the unfounded accusations you make.

Question - Congressman Goodlatte, are you aware that the industry has watchdog sites? Are you aware that the industry has made a great effort to self regulate? Without a doubt, if an "Internet gambling site" were ever identified as being a front for terrorism, that web site would be highlighted on millions of web sites world wide and condemned in the strongest terms. It would be shut down by the service provider within hours. The participants in the industry are the people next door. Normal people. People who would act to find the freedom that a terrorism free world offers them. We cover the watchdog sites in brief detail here.

Question - Congressman Goodlatte, if you were to ask the owners of these "Internet gambling sites" to conform to strong norms that govern any bank or casino, would they do it. Would they willingly subject their businesses to a strict, government approved, regulation code? Have you asked them? Did you know that they have been wanting legalization and regulation? Congressman Goodlatte, you wouldn't have to beg, they are begging you! They have been for an awful long time too. Why not regulate the industry? Why not set standards that ensure excellence? Visit this page and see more.

Question - Congressman Goodlatte, do you really want to turn millions of your countrymen into criminals? Is that what you want? You want to run up huge bills for regulation? You want to destroy the very families you seek to protect by locking up a Father, a Mother, maybe the Grandparents?

Summary - Congressman Goodlatte, with all due respect, if you make accusations then it is similarly required that you back them up with facts. The very real threat that your bills pose to personal choice and the fabric that is "The land of the free" shows that you have indeed thought very little about the real issues and the real effects.