Mike Lee cosponsors Lindsey Graham's bill to ban online gambling

[tsai3904]

Graham, Chaffetz Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Restore Wire Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) today introduced their bipartisan legislation, Restoration of America's Wire Act, which restores the long-standing interpretation of the Wire Act and reverses the Department of Justice's abrupt December 2011 decision to expand online gaming.

"This is yet another example of the Holder Justice Department and Obama Administration ignoring the law," said Graham, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. "In 1999, South Carolina outlawed video poker and removed over 33,000 video poker machines from within its borders. Now, because of the Obama Administration's decision, virtually any cell phone or computer can again become a video poker machine. It's simply not right."

"The DOJ opened the door for massive change in policy without significant public input. These fundamental changes need to go through Congress. By restoring the original interpretation of the Wire Act, we are putting the genie back in the bottle and allowing for an open debate to take place," said Chaffetz.

...

Earlier this week the Governors of Texas and South Carolina also wrote to Congress expressing concerns about the Department of Justice's decision.

Texas Governor Rick Perry wrote, "When gambling occurs in the virtual world, the ability of states to determine whether the activity should be available to its citizens and under what conditions - and to control the activity accordingly - is left subject to the vagaries of the technological marketplace. This seriously compromises the ability of states to control gambling within their borders." (Letter: http://bit.ly/1ha5nG6)

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said, "Allowing Internet gaming to invade the homes of every American family, and to be piped into our dens, living rooms, workplaces, and even our kids' bedrooms and dorm rooms, is a major decision. We must carefully examine the short and long-term social and economic consequences before Internet gambling spreads." (Letter: http://bit.ly/1m6jGMq)

The legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-California), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Kelly Ayotte (R-New Hampshire). The legislation is cosponsored in the House of Representatives by Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (D - Hawaii), Jim Matheson (D - Utah), Lamar Smith (R - Texas), Jim Jordan (R - Ohio), Trent Franks (R - Arizona), George Holding (R - North Carolina), Frank Wolf (R - Virginia), James Lankford (R - Oklahoma), and Emanuel Cleaver (D - Missouri).

...

More:
http://www.lgraham.senate.gov/publi...ecord_id=f8442c66-a918-da0c-9a4d-ddb201e26ae9

Update: Mike Lee's press release: http://www.lee.senate.gov/public/in...ecord_id=227738ee-0bcb-4a2b-bb3b-ac31e56aa913

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Is the LDS pushing this crap?

 

[Snew]

LOL, here's another good 'ol "liberty candidate"

 

[angelatc]

As usual, when a bill gets broad bipartisan support, freedom is being trampled.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

 

[twomp]

Damn Mike Lee started off his career so well too. I guess it's hard to resist the ring of power when you are in D.C.

 

[ctiger2]

-1 for Lee, Chaffetz is horrible as well.

 

[V3n]

I can kind of see it as a "State Rights" deal - kinda sorta - but if you outlaw Gambling in your State - just arrest/punish/whatever those doing it when they are caught.. don't ban it off the whole internet - because then you are infringing on those States that have not outlawed it.

Don't get me wrong, the whole thing STINKS - I'm just saying I can maybe see the other side of the argument.. a teency bit..

and BOOOOOOOOO!!! Mike Lee! BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 

[Vanguard101]

Meh every libertarian congressman has violated the notion of freedom in one way. (-3) though.

 

[Brett85]

How can Mike Lee square this with the 10th amendment? Or am I just not understanding what this bill actually does?

Edit: After reading this, it looks like the bill might actually restore states' rights, which seems like it would be a good thing. I don't support banning online gambling, but the states have the right to do that under the 10th amendment.

"In 1999, South Carolina outlawed video poker and removed over 33,000 video poker machines from within its borders. Now, because of the Obama Administration's decision, virtually any cell phone or computer can again become a video poker machine. It's simply not right."

 

[tsai3904]

How can Mike Lee square this with the 10th amendment? Or am I just not understanding what this bill actually does?

Here's the leading online poker advocate group's take:

PPA Criticizes Senator Graham and Congressman Chaffetz’s Proposed Bills to Ban Online Poker and Restrict States’ Rights

Washington, DC (March 26, 2014) – The Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the leading poker grassroots advocacy group with more than one million members nationwide, today condemns legislation introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) that seeks to amend the Wire Act of 1961 expanding it to ban Internet poker and select forms of Internet gambling.

“These bills trample on the rights of states, but of greater concern is the fact that they will deny consumers of any meaningful protections that can only be achieved through responsible state or federal regulation. Today, three states are safely and effectively regulating Internet poker. This misguided attempt at prohibition will turn back the clock in those states and destroy the opportunity for others to gain the economic and societal benefits of offering its citizens a safe and regulated place to play online,” said John Pappas, executive director of the PPA. “We hope Senator Graham and Congressman Chaffetz and the other supporters of these bills will sideline any political motivations and choose to support what’s in the best interest of American consumers by reconsidering these bills.”

In 2011 the U.S. Department of Justice, after careful review of relevant case law andlegislative history, found that the Wire Act bans only online sports betting. The legislation introduced today would overturn this ruling and grossly expand the scope and intent of the 1961 law. It would also shutter the regulated online gaming markets established in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware which currently provide hundreds of thousands of online players with effective consumer protections.

PPA members have sent tens of thousands of letters, emails and tweets to their elected members of Congress urging them to support legislation to facilitate licensing and regulation of Internet poker in participating states and to oppose legislation that would expand the Wire Act and strip states of their rights to authorize online poker sites.

“For years, the PPA has fought to provide players with a safe and regulated environment to play poker online across the nation. These bills amount to a prohibition, plain and simple, and they deny the realities of today’s online world. If enacted, they would only serve to expand an unregulated market that protects no one. Instead, Congress should focus on corralling the unregulated marketplace and turning it into a system that is safe for consumers and accountable to regulators and our government,” said Pappas. “Online poker licensing and regulation is the only way to ensure consumers are protected with clear laws and strong enforcements, and poker players deserve this right.”

http://theppa.org/press-releases/20...ne-poker-and-restrict-states-rights-03262014/

 

[TaftFan]

At first I figured this happened to do with the probes into Lee and Reid. Actually, the gambling connection was only for Reid. The Lee probe had something to do with financing his house.

 

[tsai3904]

FYI, for those in Utah, Mike Lee holds a monthly telephone town hall. The next one is on April 9. It would be a good opportunity to get his take on this.

http://www.lee.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/tele-townhall-meetings

 

[DamianTV]

Can we just propose a bill to ban Lindsey Graham?

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Here's the leading online poker advocate group's take:

http://theppa.org/press-releases/20...ne-poker-and-restrict-states-rights-03262014/

Seems like we have Casinos and gambling prohibitionists on one side, and the tax and regulate online gambling association on the other side. Plain old freedom doesn't have a special interest lobby.

 

[tsai3904]

Mike Lee's letter to Utah's Attorney General seeking clarification on internet gambling:

Dear Attorney General Reyes,

I write in response to the February 4, 2014, letter you wrote to the Senate Judiciary Committee requesting congressional review of the recent reversal of the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) interpretation of the Wire Act, 19 U.S.C., as it applies to internet gambling.

By issuing a legal opinion suggesting that the Wire Act does not apply to online gambling or lotteries, the Office of Legal Counsel at DOJ has done a disservice to our country. Besides being difficult to regulate, online gambling poses risks in all the ways you highlighted in your letter, namely, money laundering, access by minors, fraud, exploitation of individuals with a gambling addiction, and terrorist financing.

After careful consideration, informed by your request, Senator Graham (R-SC) and I are prepared to introduce the Internet Gambling Control Act of 2014, legislation that addresses these concerns by amending the Wire Act so that its application to online gambling and lotteries cannot be misinterpreted. By returning this inherently interstate activity to its proper place under federal enforcement, we hope to address the public policy implications you have asked us to consider.

http://www.lee.senate.gov/public/in...ecord_id=227738ee-0bcb-4a2b-bb3b-ac31e56aa913

 

[Keith and stuff]

Mike Lee and a whole bunch of other people are clearly coming out against people's rights. Or even so called state's rights if you will. This bill is meant to remove rights and that's it. Of course, the government cannot take away your right to gamble. However, if this passes, the government might kill if you try to exercise a basic right that everyone has since birth.

When Billionaires get involved with politics, funny things happen.

I'm not surprised that Lindsey Graham would introduce an anti-state's rights type bill. Hopefully this can be used against him in his primary. Is the Tenth Amendment Center strong in SC?

 

[dannno]

"In 1999, South Carolina outlawed video poker and removed over 33,000 video poker machines from within its borders. Now, because of the Obama Administration's decision, virtually any cell phone or computer can again become a video poker machine. It's simply not right."

*Waahhhhhh we can't be tyrannical cunts cuz of the internet!!! WAAHHHHHHHhh*

Not our problem, SC.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

Let me see...

a.) Gamble on-line in the comfort of my home or on the road, drinking and eating what I desire and hopefully, maybe I win something in my enjoyment playing

OR

b.) Forced to travel, pay the expenses at the lobbying Casinos/Hotels/Indian Reservations, under surveillance of microphones and video cameras, backed by team thugs, that may not like the way I play, etc etc.


One needs to look at the lobbying dollars going to not only the politicians, but the huge sums to the two oligarchical political parties.

How conservative or Mike Lee and Chaffetz to get involved in this... any casinos or taxing institutions bribing, uh I mean donating to these political puppets? I don;t even have to look... probably laundering it through the RNC, GOP, and RJC money groups.

 

[RonPaulMall]

How can Mike Lee square this with the 10th amendment? Or am I just not understanding what this bill actually does?

Edit: After reading this, it looks like the bill might actually restore states' rights, which seems like it would be a good thing. I don't support banning online gambling, but the states have the right to do that under the 10th amendment.

"In 1999, South Carolina outlawed video poker and removed over 33,000 video poker machines from within its borders. Now, because of the Obama Administration's decision, virtually any cell phone or computer can again become a video poker machine. It's simply not right."

Saying this bill "restores states rights" is like saying the Federal Laws against Marijuana are strengthening "states rights" by citing all the states that have similar laws targeting Marijuana. That's utter nonsense. What this Bill does is make internet gambling a Federal Crime and removes the ability of states to decide the issue themselves. Horrible bill from both a Constitutional and Moral perspective and Mike Lee should be ashamed of himself for supporting it.