NEWS: WTO: US Gambling Ban May be Illegal

POLITICS: WTO: US Gambling Ban May be Illegal

In yet another bone thrown to the morality police in an election year, the GOP, with the president's approval, passed a ban on internet gambling last week that would make it illegal for ISPs to provide access to offshore gambling sites, and for consumers to use them. Of course, horse racing and the lottery were exempted, because they lobbied for it. Now, however, the WTO is saying that the ban may not be legitimate because it is enforcing unfair trade sanctions on WTO member states that will be hit the hardest by it.

Caribbean nations reliant on tourism are constantly struggling with the sword of Damocles dangling above their heads; a single hurricane can decimate business and cause beach erosion that irreparably harms long term tourist interests. In an attempt to diversify their economies, some Caribbean countries have gotten into internet hosting, particularly for gambling sites, which are bringing in a source of revenue that is not so dependent upon the weather.



If the WTO investigation determines that this law represents an illegal trade restriction on the part of the US, the WTO will be in a position to enforce trade sanctions against the US until it reverses the law. Which will put the GOP in an interesting position. As the home to die-hard "free traders" who supposedly support relaxation of international trade restrictions to create a global market economy, it will be difficult to dismiss the WTO's decision, as it would certainly seem to be trying to promote free trade. But the GOP is also home to the hand-wringers, those religious conservatives who love to blame television, video games, Hollywood, and the internet for all of society's ills, and passing this ban was a way to tell them just how important they are to our politicians. In an election year that has failed to pass constitutional bans on flag burning and gay marriage, these people are going to demand some sort of recompense for their electoral support.



You've made your bed, Republicans. Time to lie in it.

are you kidding? republicans were born to lie!

but more seriously, it'd be interesting to see what happens when the united states government goes after, let's say, bit-torrent sites hosted in the caribbean.

back to the silliness board...

I guess killing Stem Cell research and stifling progress to protect...no one, is part of their strategy to appease their foul masters?

I don't understand why people think the government should stick its nose everyplace, and police all forms of human activity. Truly, we no longer believe in freedom. Which is why it hurts all the more when Bush talks about it all the time. Sure, it could be worse. Dissent is tolerated here; they won't shoot you. Usually. But every day we chip away at our freedom to live our lives as we wish. And God, talk about a victimless crime.

"As the home to die-hard "free traders" who supposedly support relaxation of international trade restrictions to create a global market economy"

Tell that to the companys up here that have been spending the past few years winning cases against the american government over softwood lumber tariffs (equaling approx 5bil so far)

I wonder...

If the WTO decides to impose sanctions, would 'G-Dub' declare that an act of terrorism?

Hence the "supposedly," if I'm understanding all this correctly.

"those religious conservatives who love to blame television, video games, Hollywood, and the internet for all of society's ills"

Stupid internet...If it hadn't been for internet porn, WWII would never have happened!

Hmmm... this could mean opportunities to me.

What I'd probably foresee happening is that if this sticks, internet gaming COULD be legalized so long as it's legal in the locality that the servers are hosted in.

Oh say, Nevada and Atlantic City?

Sports betting would be the hang though. And McCain is still kinda whackjob about that.

Even though I think it is asinine to ban online gaming, since when does the WTO have jurisdiction over the US? Last I checked our government was located in Washington, DC.
"They took our jobs!"

What this news report (or whatever it's supposed to be) doesn't show is that this bill was introduced with three Democratic cosponsors. It also doesn't show another fact: 115 Democrats voted FOR this bill and only 76 voted against. Additionally, 201 Republicans voted for this bill and a mere 17 voted against it. The sole Independent voted for.

Even though the majority of Democrats voted in favor of this bill...the author is still going to have the audacity to say, "You've made your bed, Republicans. Time to lie in it."

I really wish the "contributors" to SG's news would be honest and fair. I guess that's asking way too much. There's an obvious agenda.

Please do not use the SG stories for news and do not consider them "facts." They are opinions...and misleading ones at best.

Source: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2006-363

And before any of you assume I'm some George Bush lover - you're wrong. I think the guy is totally incompetent. I just hate the bullshit of this two-party system where it does nothing more than divide the country into two sets of assholes. Each thinking they're better than the other and both giving half-truths to make their points.

If the gambling lobbies, national lotteries and indian casinos had gotten their shit together they could be running the whole damn online gambling thing---now all they do is pay corrupt republicans to keep it safe and legal in their own home states

if there is one thing i have learned in my short time on this planet, it is that if people want to do drugs, they will do them and if they want to smoke drink and gamble and even get their labia pierced---then god knows they will do it

now lets do the smart thing and make it safe and legal and let the rich get richer from the tax revenue we could be making from online gambling if it were legal here like it is in the UK

these people hate our freedom.

Article VI of the United States Constitution: This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

True, a lot of democrats voted for this bill, but what I think he's referring to the fact that it's a republican-controlled congress and that while 60% of Democrats voted for it, an overwhelming 92% of Republicans voted for it.

Also, I think the readers are aware this is opinion, as evidenced by the box highlighted "Commentary" at the top.

This just goes to show how retarded all forms of goverment are. The revenue that this could generate is astronomical. Instead of taking advantage of that and perhaps paying teachers more, improving the schools, pay down the debt or 1000's of other things the money could be wisely spent on, the brilliant Idea is to just ban it. I wonder how many loan bonds will be on state ballots during the next couple years of elections. This would probably generate enough money to pay for all of them without having to take out loans that screw us all over in the long run. I guess I will have to trade poker chips in for horse racing. Problem is I can play poker and make money at it, I don't have a clue about horse racing. The people with serious gambling problems will still have that itch and will bet in some other form. Just make the sites have gambling help links and adds like the casinos run and in addition to paying taxes, have them set up a fund to help pay for treatment to those that need it.

I will never understand why so many new members get so bent out of shape over the newswire. Regardless, please refer to the FAQ where we address this topic thoroughly.

From the FAQ:

It's even labeled as "commentary" if you check the top of the story. So please don't pretend like I'm trying to report this as factual information, it's pretty clearly an editorial.

It just seems ignorant and reckless to puposely ignore all the facts and data before making such a strong statement against any person or party. Regardless of the F.A.Q., you probably know that most people are sheep and assume what is posted here to be facts. Just read the threads/responses. I probably have more (or at least as much) disgust for the president than you do. I am completely embarrassed with how our country is viewed by other countries (as well as by our own citizens). As for the Republican party? They are douchebags just like the Democrats. Neither party acts in the interest of the people [opinion]. What a country we'd be if we abolished party affiliation and just voted on issues.

It appears that the trend in politics has always been to side with their party - regardless of how stupid the issue is or without finding any/all of the facts.

As for the stupid gambling bill? No Republican, Democrat, or Independent should decide how any U.S. citizen spends their money. Period. They're all wrong.

The current administration is the WTO's bitch. As are we all in a way.

Expectation:
The administration will do what the WTO tells them to do, poste haste.

It's especially subversive because it allows yet an even greater overreach of the US government over what should be protected civil liberties. Big Brother is tired of watching and now really wants to get his hands dirty.

It is asking too much.
I agree with you 100% and used to argue about it as well but I gave up on it years ago.

Thanks, random fuckbag!

submit your own news story then.

as long as it's well written (and not a duplicate) it'll be posted on the news wire.

Ahhhhh. I read that as all chipper and happy sounding. Made it absolutely hilarious.

Well, the assholes at Congress really pissed me off now, i can't put more funds into my poker account because my bank card won't let me. What the fuck i am 7 years old?

If i want to waste my fucking war earned money on poker i think i should be able to...