Bachus Ignores Facts, Fights Gambling Bill With Tired Routine
Barney Frank unveiled his proposal to license and regulate online gambling sites this morning. Not surprisingly, Spencer Bachus retaliated with inflammatory accusations against Internet gaming so quickly one wondered if he had time to read the bill."Illegal off-shore Internet gambling sites are a criminal enterprise," Bachus stated. Sherman Bradley, Online Casino Advisory senior gaming analyst, says Bachus' statement is a truism; all illegal activities are criminal enterprises.
"However, Bachus uses the clever wording to suggest that offshore Internet gambling sites are illegal," says Bradley. "Not only is there no federal law making online gambling illegal, but Frank's bill would clarify whatever doubt still clouds opinion and define licensed operations as legal."
Bachus also claimed, ""Allowing them (Internet gambling operators) to operate unfettered in the United States would present a clear danger to our youth, who are subject to becoming addicted to gambling at an early age."
Bradley says this assertion flies in the face of scientific studies and research around the world. He notes numerous studies have found that gambling addiction is a symptom of a deeper disease and is not created by gambling proliferation.
"Other surveys have shown that, the earlier the exposure to gaming, the less likely a development of problem gambling. Those whose first exposure to gambling occurs later in life are more susceptible to gaming issues than those who learned at younger ages," Bradley says.
"Finally, Harvard Medical School released the definitive study of online gambling habits, and found a surprising lack of danger for addiction. Researchers admitted other expectations, but were honest enough to admit the evidence contradicted their beliefs going in, something Bachus and his ilk are unwilling to do."
