Groups Object To Internet Gambling

Special Report - July 22, 2010
The North Carolina Family Policy Council (NCFPC) has joined with several national and state-level pro-family organizations in expressing opposition to federal legislation that proposes “the most aggressive expansion of gambling in American history.” In a July 20 letter addressed to the leadership of the U.S. House and Senate, Bill Brooks, president of the NCFPC, and other leaders from a number of pro-family groups, including Focus on the Family, Family Research Council Action, and Concerned Women for America (CWA), warned of the negative social impact of two bills that have been introduced in the U.S. House, HR 2267—Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act and HR 4976—Internet Gambling Regulation Act of 2010. According to the letter, HR 2267 “licenses and federally regulates Internet gambling, permitting foreign and domestic Internet gambling operators to accept wagers from U.S. customers.” The measure was introduced by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) and has 69 cosponsors, including North Carolina Congressman Melvin L. Watt (D-NC). HR 4976, which is sponsored by Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) and has four cosponsors, deals with taxation of Internet gambling.

The letter warns that “such ‘easy money’ comes at a big price, as the federal government becomes dependent on gambling revenue. A dramatic, government-sanctioned gambling expansion will impose vast socioeconomic costs, especially on families. Research has enumerated a multitude of social ills that occur when gambling is legalized and promoted, such as increased bankruptcies, underage gambling, and higher rates of divorce and suicide, among other family problems.” The letter goes on to highlight the many dangers of Internet gambling, including an increase in gambling addicts. “Internet gambling activities exemplify the most dangerous aspects of gambling. Online gambling sites place electronic gambling at every office, every school desk, and in every living room,” the letter points out. “The instant accessibility and anonymity of such sites make them a particularly alluring forum for teenagers and young adults; according to several studies, gambling addiction is the fastest growing addiction among young people. Internet gambling sites also provide a ready mechanism for criminals to illicitly transfer or launder money quickly, secretly and with a low chance of detection.”

The letter to Congress was signed by: Tom McClusky, Senior VP of Family Research Council Action; Dr. Carl Herbster, president of Advance USA; Jim Minnery of the Alaska Family Council; Jim Backlin, VP of legislative affairs for Christian Coalition of America; Penny Nance, CEO of Concerned Women for America; David Fowler, Esq., President of Family Action of Tennessee; Kris Mineau, President of the Massachusetts Family Institute; Tom Minnery, Senior VP of government & public policy at Focus on the Family; Rev. Jason J. McGuire, executive director of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms; Bill Brooks, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council; Stephen Stone, president of Renew America; Dr. Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission; Julaine K. Appling, president of the Wisconsin Family Action, and C. Preston Noell III, president of Tradition, Family, Property, Inc.

Related article:
No Gambling at Home - March 15, 2010
Congress Bans Internet Gambling - October 2, 2006

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