KING VOTES TO
END ILLEGAL INTERNET GAMBLING
WASHINGTON- Iowa Congressman Steve
King today voted to protect children from online gambling
dangers and to enforce our laws against illegal internet
gambling.
H.R. 4411, the
Internet Gambling Prohibition
and Enforcement Act, passed the U.S. House today with
a vote of 317-93. The bill provides enforcement of internet
gambling laws by
clarifying existing law, regulating payment to these sites,
authorizing law enforcement to pursue injunctions against
persons or businesses that aid internet gambling and support
international efforts to combat illegal gambling and money
laundering.
"If our illegal gambling laws
aren't enforced, kids and families can be sucked into illegal,
overseas operations and not know that their money is financing
drugs, crime or terrorism," said King.
Currently, most of illegal
internet gambling is centered overseas.
Americans spend $5.9 billion per year
on illegal Internet gambling. Gambling websites make it easy for
children to access the sites, encourage addiction, and provide a
front for money laundering, drug trafficking, and even terrorist
financing.
H.R. 4411 does not affect current
state gambling laws. The bill must be passed by the Senate and
signed by the President to become law.
