World News

In December several members of Congress joined Rep. Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) for a Financial Services Committee hearing on H.R. 2267 – Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. Frank is trying to get Congress to pass this law in the wake of the restrictive Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).

Joining Frank were Rep. Spencer Bachus, Rep. Peter King, Rep. Christopher Lee, Rep. Dennis Moore and Rep. Brad Sherman. Testifying in person or by video were Parry Aftab, executive director of Wired Safety; Mike Brodsky, executive director of Youbet.com; Jim Dowling of Dowling Advisory Group; Robert Martin, tribal chairman of Morongo Band of Mission Indians; Malcolm K. Sparrow, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University; Samuel A. Vallandingham, Chief Information Officer and V.P. of The First State Bank (representing Independent Community Bankers of America); Keith S. Whyte, executive director, National Council on Problem Gambling.

Among the names on this list, two may attract the attention of observant readers: Parry Aftab of WiredSafety, the group of recognized experts in Internet and digital safety/security; Keith Whyte of the National Council on Problem Gambling. Apart from the financial issues involved with online gambling, security and addiction are two major concerns for opponents of gambling. Will these witnesses be able to break down some of the resistance and make online gambling legal in the U.S.?