There is a projected $62.7 dollars to be made over the next decade in online gambling. Not necessarily by a you or me, and not even by the casino sights themselves, but by the federal government. Unfortunately, (or fortunately the depending on the way you look at it) it won’t be used to help offset the costs of health care. Senator Ron Wyden, a democrat from Oregon, withdrew his amendment that would have used taxes generated by the Internet Regulation, Consumer Protection And Enforcement Act, which is still pending and is used to increase low income subsidies under the America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009.
The Senator’s Communications Director, Jennifer Hoelzer stated, “The last thing Senator Wyden wants to do is make it more difficult to expand subsidies for working families by introducing a new contentious issue to the debate… (over health care)” even though some House members and online gambling and casino supporters have shown support for the amendment. “Money is money,” said Washington Representative, Democrat Jim McDermott. It does not seem that it would be much different than the system that is used for actual casinos and lotteries throughout the country.
Detractors, like Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid feel that, a debate on changing laws regulating online casinos and gambling would be a major distraction from an already much contested and extremely heated debate on health care. …”a detour that Senator Reid agrees is not appropriate at this time,” is the word from Regan LaChapelle, the majority leader’s spokesperson.
The Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection And Enforcement Act would provide a framework for online casino gambling operators to accept wagers from players in the United States. It would also require by law several protections and safeguards against underage usage, fraud and identity theft, compulsive gambling and money laundering. The bill was introduced in May by the House Committee On Financial Services Chairman, Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank.
