Here is the response from Jim McDermott regarding my comments on online poker to his website:
Dear Jesse:
Thank you for writing to me with your comments regarding online gambling. I appreciate the time you have taken to write to me.
As you may know, I am a cosponsor of HR 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007. This bill would allow properly licensed operators to run online gambling websites, thereby permitting Americans to lawfully bet online. I have also introduced HR 2607, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act of 2007, as a companion to HR 2046. HR 2607 would provide a modest tax for internet gambling, comparable to taxes charged for other entertainment.
Today, gambling has migrated online where it is unregulated, off shore and exporting billions of U.S. dollars. I believe that through legalization and regulation, rather than prosecution, we can ensure safety and accountability within the activity. Legalization would help protect against underage gambling, compulsive gambling, money laundering, identity theft and fraud by mandating that operators obtain licenses. Additionally, the tax revenue generated by legalization could contribute to funding critical government programs.
If you are interested in following these bills through the legislative process, the website hosted by the Library of Congress at http://thomas.loc.gov is extremely helpful. It provides a wealth of information about legislation under consideration in the current Congress as well as bills introduced in earlier sessions. The site is called Thomas to honor President Thomas Jefferson and his belief in public access to the workings of government.
Again, thank you for contacting me. I welcome your views, and look forward to hearing from you in the future.
Sincerely,
Jim McDermott
Member of Congress