It's a long shot that more than a handful of the millions of Americans who gamble on the Internet ever heard of the Safe Port Act, which President Bush is expected to sign today. But they're about to feel its reach.
A measure hastily tacked on to the port security bill is designed to crack down on offshore, online casinos by banning payment with credit cards or electronic fund transfers.
Even before Bush signs the bill, it's had an impact: The larger online casinos saw their stock prices plummet on foreign exchanges, and several said they'd stop taking bets from U.S. customers. Considering that U.S. bettors generate more than 50% of industrywide revenue, many operators could go bust.
That's no tragedy. Gambling can have devastating social consequences. And when people can do it 24/7 from computers, it can lead to financial trouble and social isolation. For students caught up in the current poker craze, it can invite educational failure.
But whether the act is the right remedy is another matter. There's reason for doubt.
First is the question of whether the plan is workable. That won't be known for a while. The government has 270 days to write regulations, and that will be a formidable task. U.S. banks and other credit card issuers can be restricted easily. But third parties outside U.S. jurisdiction - notably a company called NETeller - take electronic transfers from banks and pass them to gambling sites, charging high fees in the process. That's not easily stopped.
Then there's the question of whether the government should be telling adults how they can spend their money. Barring a casino from operating in a state to keep gambling distant is one thing. Meddling with people's bank accounts is another.
Restricting gambling for minors would have been a more sensible place to start. That would have addressed the most vulnerable population and served as a useful test.
Regardless, the new law will be an interesting experiment. It might rein in the gambling craze, or it might just shift more of it to less responsible operators. Either way, it's a safe bet that this is the first hand to be played in a much longer game.
I think the 3rd to the last paragraph really hits it. Hello?what happened to our rights and freedom to make choices? yes gambling can be a problem but just because you take away the easy access doesn't mean that it's going to get better.
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"Am I speaking in a language you're not getting here?"
I like to do a little gambling online. I've won some money, I've lost some money. But overall I couldn't care less if they shut them down.
It's always been illegal to RUN them here, so I've never understood why we allow the off-shore ones to siphon money out of our pockets by running these things to begin with.
If I'm not playing online boker, bingo or slots maybe I'll actually go outside and get a life (I wouldn't BET on it though )
(I wouldn't BET on it though 
