After a year-long battle with congressional Democrats, President Bush had the last word on online wagering yesterday, after the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department issued a joint rule that will finally put a stop to illegal Internet gambling. FRC had worked extensively on the issue with House conservatives, helping them fend off members like Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) who were scheming to keep government agencies from implementing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Without these new regulations, the law, which passed easily (317-93) last year, would have been useless. Now that the final puzzle piece is in place, banks and other payment agencies will have until December 2009 to stop credit card and other electronic payments to illegal gambling websites. This is a huge win for the family movement, which had argued that the banking industry had the technology to enforce the bans on Internet betting but not the will. Thanks to President Bush, who recognized the importance of closing the deal on UIGEA before leaving office, financial institutions will be obligated to protect Americans from a predatory industry that spawns an addictive habit which devastates families.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Texan Holds 'Em
After a year-long battle with congressional Democrats, President Bush had the last word on online wagering yesterday, after the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department issued a joint rule that will finally put a stop to illegal Internet gambling. FRC had worked extensively on the issue with House conservatives, helping them fend off members like Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) who were scheming to keep government agencies from implementing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Without these new regulations, the law, which passed easily (317-93) last year, would have been useless. Now that the final puzzle piece is in place, banks and other payment agencies will have until December 2009 to stop credit card and other electronic payments to illegal gambling websites. This is a huge win for the family movement, which had argued that the banking industry had the technology to enforce the bans on Internet betting but not the will. Thanks to President Bush, who recognized the importance of closing the deal on UIGEA before leaving office, financial institutions will be obligated to protect Americans from a predatory industry that spawns an addictive habit which devastates families.
