StrictConstruct

Ron Paul and Barney Frank have introduced HR 5767, a bill that would prevent “the Secretary of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from proposing, prescribing, or implementing any regulation” against online gambling. The exact act it would prevent from being put into force is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, or UIGEA. The legislation was curiously a part of the “Safe Port Act,” passed in 2006, a bill which otherwise deals exclusively with port security - and as such was passed overwhelmingly in the House, 421-2, and 98-0 in the Senate.

Paul has criticized UIGEA, and stated to Gambling911.com in an interview that “the internet should not be regulated by the federal government” and that “people should be free to engage in the activities they wish, as long as they are willing to take responsibility for their actions.” Likewise, Barney Frank stated “The existing legislation is an inappropriate interference on the personal freedom of Americans and this interference should be undone.” At this point it is not clear how far the bill will get, but it appears to be drawing more support than previous attempts. There still remains notable opposition, however, from anti-gambling groups such as the Family Research Council.

While there can be no debate that gambling is a problem for some people, and that people are certainly known to lose money gambling, it is not the governments job to keep people safe from themselves. People need to exercise personal responsibility, and be accountable for their own actions. The United States is a country founded around the concept of freedom, and gambling most certainly falls under the umbrella of personal freedoms. It is time for that freedom to be recognized.

(Photo credit to John Wardell.)