(Washington, DC – June 9th, 2006) Today, the Los Angeles Times editorial page published a well reasoned opinion about the upcoming Congressional vote to ban online gambling.

In its editorial, “Don’t bet the House,” the Times highlights the hypocrisy of the legislation which claims to ban online gambling, yet provides special exemptions for the horse racing industry (as well as Internet lotteries).  The editorial also exposes that the proposed legislation, “would impose significant new regulatory burdens on financial companies.”  The Independent Community Bankers of America strongly opposes this legislation.

Finally, the editorial expresses support for taxation and regulation of online gambling, rather than an outright prohibition — a position the Poker Players Alliance has been pushing Congress to adopt.  

According to the Times, “Legalizing online gambling and regulating the industry — as Britain has done — is the best way to toughen protections against gambling by minors, identify problem gamblers and ensure that online sites are more scrupulous than the back-alley bookie…Legalization also would allow the government to tax the industry and mitigate its hypocrisy in sanctioning some forms of gambling, such as state lotteries, but not others. Moralistic members of Congress should not be allowed to thwart online freedoms”

Author Contact Info: Poker Players Alliance