[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 97 (Monday, July 24, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INTERNET GAMBLING PROHIBITION ACT OF 2000

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                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 24, 2000

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on a 
topic that surrounds the dynamic questions raised by the extensive 
growth and reach of the internet. The information superhighway and the 
entire technological revolution have forced the Congress and industry 
officials to reexamine the regulation of internet gambling.
  Under current federal law, it is unclear that using Internet to 
operate a gambling business is illegal. Gambling over the Internet only 
represents nefarious activity that we must only carefully examine, but 
such gambling also perpetuates the addictive nature of gambling.
  It is well known that many gamblers are compulsive gamblers. In other 
words, they fell compelled to gamble, just as many smokers feel 
compelled to smoke cigarettes. Access fuels such additions, and by 
providing gambling sites over the Internet, illegal entities create 
access to anyone who owns a computer with a modem.
  On-Line casino operators have created ``virtual strip''--where 
gamblers who are tired of one casino can simply ``walk'' down the 
virtual Internet boardwalk into a different casino. Internet gambling 
sites offer everything from sports betting to blackjack. Many of these 
are operated from offshore locations. It is significant to note that 
H.R. 3125 would impose a mandate on Internet service providers by 
requiring them to offer their residential customers filtering software 
that would block access by children to gambling Internet sites. It is 
crucial that we protect our children from such activity.
  Given the fact that the majority of our citizens have access to 
computers and the Internet, we must ensure that the Internet is used 
for the right reasons such as education and communication. We cannot 
forget that people utilize the Internet in a global marketplace of 
ideas.
  This measure prohibits a person from knowingly using the Internet or 
any other interactive service to place, receive, or otherwise make a 
bet or wager with any other person. H.R. 3125, the Internet Gambling 
Prohibition Act of 2000, would prohibit persons engaged in a gambling 
business from using the Internet or any other interactive computer 
service place, receive, or otherwise make a bet or wager, or send, 
receive, or invite information assisting in the placing of a bet or 
wager.
  More importantly, the bill addresses not only individual gamblers, 
but also gambling businesses. For those gambling businesses that choose 
to participate in Internet gambling, they face fines up to $20,000 or 
imprisonment (up to 4 years).
  This bill would also require common carriers and Internet services to 
assist federal, state, and local enforcement agencies in shutting down 
illegal betting or wagering sites.
  We must toe the line when we enforce this measure. We do not want to 
trample upon the privacy rights of individuals. However, as long as the 
enforcement of a ``gambling business'' defined the legislation is not 
expanded by law enforcement authorities, it will help protect many 
parties from destructive and illegal conduct.
  We must adopt a model of enforcement that provides uniformity and 
specificity so that the Internet carriers and telephone companies can 
easily and efficiently remove gambling sites from the Internet. It is 
my expectation that this legislation, after reconciliation with S. 692, 
the Senate-version of this bill, will make a positive contribution to 
the regulation of gambling businesses.

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