The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“INTERNET GAMBLING BILL” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H4879-H4880 on June 4, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTERNET GAMBLING BILL
(Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, the offshore casino industry would like us to think that Internet gambling is a harmless activity that can be tamed by Federal regulation. The problem is, it cannot happen.
Proponents of regulation are selling it because it sounds reasonable. Their arguments for regulation are nothing but a smoke screen to cover up what is already illegal activity. They seem to be more interested in regulating around the law than taking legitimate action to stop illegal activity.
That is the bottom line. Internet gambling is illegal according to the Department of Justice and the FBI. However, there is no effective way to regulate it. The only way to stop it is to cut off the financial flow through the legal Internet casino industry, and that is what H.R. 2143 does.
H.R. 2143 does not define what is legal and what is illegal. It simply ensures that law enforcement has the means to stop illegal activity. It is time to pass the bill.
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