By coincidence, the debate took place as the Golden Tiger Casino
announced the winner of the largest ever on-line jackpot. The lucky
winner of $1.6 million, identified only as Ronald H., is unlikely
to share the view of Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, who yesterday
testified before the Committee on behalf of the legislation he
prepared.
"Internet gambling is not a fun diversion, but feeds a dangerous
and growing addiction," said Kyl. "It is linked to organised crime,
rife with fraud, ruins credit ratings, and allows many young people
to build up thousands of dollars in debt on their parents' credit
cards."
Meanwhile, Ronald H., an oil worker until now, beamed, "I quit
my job of 16 years, where I worked 7 days a week."
Senator Kyl's bill seeks to restrict the profits of businesses
like Golden Tiger Casino which operates from the Dutch Caribbean
island of Curacao. According to Kyl, there are nearly 2,000
internet gambling sites – mostly off-shore – that will this year
share around $5 billion in bets.
Kyl's bill applies criminal penalties of up to five years in
prison to operators of "unlawful" internet gambling sites.
The bill is available at:
http://kyl.senate.gov/AYO03_121.pdf
