Recently, Radley Balko testified before Congress on online gambling. Mr. Balko is a senior editor of Reason Magazine and is a columnist for FoxNews.com. He has been published in many distinguish publications such as the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and Forbes as well as appeared on CNN, CNBC, MSNBC and others.
He was introduced by Presidential hopeful Ron Paul. Paul said of Balko that he is, “One of the most perceptive critiques of government policies the prevent individuals from engaging in what the government considers immoral or unhealthy behavior.â€Â
After Mr. Balko pointed out the “rather dubious†way the UIGEA was passed last year by congress, attached to the unrelated but must pass Port Security bill, he wasted no time getting to what he called the “crux of the issue†and that is,
“What Americans do in their own homes, with their own money, on their own time is none of the federal governments business.â€Â
He goes on to say that poker is “mainstream and uniquely American as baseball†pointing out the origins on the Mississippi River, its popularity on cable television and that until recently the Supreme Court had a monthly poker game.
Calling online poker an “evolution of the game†and compares it to the evolution of the straight and draw poker games developed during the Civil War. Balko also explained that no one is hurt when they sit down to a game of poker, either online or in person and wonders “why any of this should be a concern of the federal government is rather perplexing.â€Â
Addressing the fact that some members of congress may have a moral objection to gambling, his advice to them would be “don’t gamble then.†Mr. Balko then goes on to explain that Las Vegas is a popular tourist attraction, Indian casinos are common place, horse racing is a national past time and revenue from state run lotteries can be found in almost every state in the union.
Pointing out that “singling out online gambling for prohibition seems arbitrary and frankly, hypocritical.†He admits that someone could blow their family savings in an online poker game but also points out they could also do this on Ebay, booze, fancy cars or exotic travel, saying that these are personal decisions.
He also attacks the theory that those opposing online gambling do so because they say it is unregulated, under aged people are likely to gamble online and it supports money laundering and other criminal activities. Balko’s response to this was,
“These are all problems wrought not by consenting adult’s decision to gamble but the government’s decision to prohibit it.â€Â
Balko concludes his testimony by stating, “The Unlawful Internet Gaming Act was a significant and disturbing encroachment on individual liberty.â€Â
100% up to $3,000 Bonus
Bovada is our most recommended ONLINE CASINO and POKER ROOM for US players with excellent deposit options. Get your 100% signup bonus today.
Not only is gambling NOT “uniquely American” because gambling exists throughout the world. Gambling could even be called UNAMERICAN since territories were required to abolish gambling in order to become a state in the United States of America.
Just as smoking does harm to the body, and therefore is immoral, gambling does harm to the mind, and is also immoral. We all know gambling is in a downward spiral: embezzlement to pay off gambling debts, bankruptcy,and finally suicide. Gambling on the Internet in the privacy of your own home is OK? Give me a break!
So why isn’t smoking ban, why isn’t there a law in Congress prohibiting smoking.
Why stop there, drinking is an issue (OH yea, we did that – didn’t work)
I am so sick and tired of our Gov.t telling me what is immoral…I am an adult, a US citizen and I HAVE RIGHTS TOO!
So many people don’t get it – this is not a moral issue to our government – it is, like everything else, a MONEY issue.
As soon as our government can make money on it, our Congressman can pocket lobbying money from it, the “immoral” issue will no longer apply.