Frank’s Bill Starts Public Debate

May 22, 2009 - Written by Renee

The Democrat Congressman Barney Frank introduced his anti-UIGEA bill earlier this month. The legislative process on the bill has yet to begin. However in the public domain battle lines have been drawn with the proponents and opponents of the bill having a go at each other. 

The first salvo against the bill was fired by Tom Grey of Stop Predatory Gambling. Grey says that Internet casinos create an impression that people can gamble their way out of financial difficulties. If that were so then everybody would have become rich by now. He adds, “Evidently Barney feels that personal freedom, that we ought to be able to do whatever we please, includes losing our house with the click of a mouse without ever leaving it by gambling inside.” He therefore strongly believes that the Bill should be defeated. 

OCA gambling expert Sherman Bradley disagrees with Grey. He does not believe that people gamble in order to overcome financial constraints. He cites figures released by the American Gaming Association which show that national casino revenues have dropped by 5% across the United States last month. This trend has been continuing for over a year from the time the economy went on the decline. According to Bradley this shows that people have curtailed their gambling budgets rather than using the Internet gambling as a means for generating income. Clearly the people of America see Internet gambling as a means of entertainment only. Bradley adds that if the government were to ban everything that could be misused then the government should also confiscate cars because some rash drivers cause accidents.