The US House of Representatives passed legislation today that could prevent various forms of online gambling in the US.

The bill passed yesterday is known as HR 4411 and the Internet Gambling Prohibition Enforcement Act, it is widely believed that it will pave the way for a crackdown on online gambling.

Although online gambling has always been ‘illegal’ in the US, millions of Americans use online poker room, sports books and casinos daily, contributing to the global online gambling industry which is valued at over $15 billion annually.

The sites in question have managed to avoid the law by basing themselves offshore in the Carribean and in various other countries that have relaxed gambling laws. Yesterdays bill aims to restrict access to online gambling sites by either updating the 1961 Wire Act and making it illegal for gambling operators to transmit betting details over the internet, or by barring the use of electronic payments such as credit card transactions.

It is estimated that 23 million Americans play poker on the internet, it is this group of people that will be the worst affected if the bill makes it through the legislative process. Critics argue that this would make outlaws of millions of law abiding Americans who enjoy online poker and that congress is not dealing with serious issues that are facing the country.

Lobbyists for the industry are keen to see a regulated industry rather than a complete ban. It is estimated by the Congressional Research Service that Americans account for over half of the global online gambling market and that congress could raise over $3 billion annually in taxes if the industry was regulated.

www.casinochiptips.com   -  The Best Resource for Online Casino Gambling