Bills to ban online gambling have been introduced in both the Senate and House, and some state attorneys general have filed charges against Internet casino operators. Nationwide, gambling is generally illegal unless specifically authorized and regulated by a state. However, the Internet is virtually without borders, and thus blurs jurisdictions. The legislation introduced in the House and Senate attempts to deal specifically with online gambling. Both bills prohibit Internet gambling and say that anyone convicted of operating an online casino or sports line is liable for a substantial fine and up to four years in prison.
People convicted of placing online bets face lesser fines and up to six months in prison.
The legislation allows federal, state and local law enforcement officials to request or, by court order, require Internet access providers to shut down an illegal Internet gambling site. However, the bills do not preempt a state's right to pass laws permitting Internet gambling within its borders. Supporters say the problems of children and addicts gambling on the Internet can be solved with technology similar to the electronic screens that families use to keep kids from linking into X-rated Web sites. They question how effective a ban can be, since the bets are placed from among millions of homes or offices with computers linked to the Internet and most of the online casinos are located in foreign countries. The government should regulate and tax this new form of gambling rather than outlaw it, said Angel.