Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

We won't be among the mourners when and if President Bush signs a bill to ban Internet gambling that passed Congress in the early hours of Sept. 30. The Web has opened up many marvelous horizons: easy, affordable global communication, fingertip access to a virtually infinite storehouse of knowledge, and the ability to shop for merchandise in the world's biggest department store. But there's also a downside to the Internet, as Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa, one of the sponsors of the legislation noted. The problem is particularly acute for young people who tend to be on the Internet frequently. "Never before has it been so easy to lose so much money so quickly at such a young age," he said. The ban, attached to a port security bill that Bush is expected to sign today, bans most forms of Internet gambling and makes it illegal for credit card companies and banks to make payments to those who operate online gambling sites. The legislation exempts state-run lotteries and the horse-racing industry.