The news is getting interesting in Washington, as more a more members of Congress are coming around to the notion that the restrictions on Internet gambling are senseless, particularly at a time when it could be regulated and taxed to provide more revenues for the federal government and state governments.
Recent hearings in the House suggest the tide is turning.
But lawmakers and industry players at a Tuesday hearing on Internet gambling seemed to be in broad agreement that the time has come to let the nation’s casinos, cardrooms and racetracks operate online as a regulated industry.
Bono Mack noted that some form of gambling is already legal in every state except Hawaii and Utah.
“I learned to play poker, believe it or not, in the Boy Scouts,” said Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), who introduced legislation this summer that would legalize and regulate online poker. “If you learned something in the Boy Scouts, it has to be a good thing.”
Other lawmakers are looking to the powerful deficit reduction committee which is looking for new revenues. Some predict it could generate $40 billion in tax revenues over ten years!
So many people enjoy playing online poker and online slots, this should be a no-brainer. We’ve all seen how foolish it is to restrict something that’s so popular. Hopefully the officials in Washington come to their senses.
