Bill Would Block Internet Gambling Ban

A bill just introduced in the House of Representatives would effectively block the federal government from enforcing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.

Stating that the Internet Gambling Enforcement Act infringes on two basic rights of importance to Americans, "the ability to do with their money as they see fit, and the freedom from government interference with the Internet," Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced the bill H.R. 5767, which would forbid the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve from creating or implementing any regulation that would require the financial industry from blocking Internet gambling transactions.

"These regulations are impossible to implement without placing a significant burden on the payments system and financial institutions," stated Rep. Frank in a press release.

"The regulations and underlying bill also force financial institutions to act as law enforcement officers. This is another pernicious trend that has accelerated in the aftermath of the Patriot Act, the deputization of private businesses to perform intrusive enforcement and surveillance functions that the federal government is unwilling to perform on its own," added Rep. Paul.

Both Reps. Frank and Paul opposed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 and have also introduced the bill H.R. 2046, which would define, license and regulate online gambling.

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