U.S. legislators crack down on internet gambling

Operators of internet gambling operations based in Belize and other offshore jurisdictions are closely watching events in Washington. Today’s New York Times reports that the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass–perhaps as early as next week–a bill to prohibit Americans from using the internet to gamble. According to the article there are over seven hundred unregulated wagering sites on the web, generating one point two billion U.S. dollars in bets annually and doubling their volume each year. An undetermined number of the websites are based in Belize. The legislation is backed by a strange coalition of groups including Las Vegas casinos, racetracks and traditionally anti-gambling church organisations. Experts warn, however, that even if passed, the law would be difficult to enforce due to the changing nature of technology. Its primary level of enforcement would be to stop internet service providers, such as America Online, from allowing access to gambling sites. Another version of the bill would make it illegal to use a credit card to engage in internet gambling.