Obama Comes Out Against Gambling
A simple question-and-answer session at a college publicity stop revealed what the online gambling industry had wondered for some time: President Barack Obama's stance on expanding gambling in the US, including regulation of Internet casinos. Obama told a student at Lehigh Carbon Community College that he would not consider using less strict gaming laws and policies to stimulate the economy or provide jobs.The sophomore, a criminology student, asked the President if he would think about legalizing victimless crimes, such as possessing marijuana, prostitution, and gambling as a means to lower record unemployment. Without hesitation, the President said no.
There was no attempt by the President to differentiate between the categories of drugs, sex, and gaming, but rather a blanket dismissal. Internet gambling supporters hopeful that revenue possibilities created by regulation of online casinos would sway Obama toward their corner may now be concerned about legislation that may head the President's way.
During the election campaign, Obama told stories of his days playing poker with the Congressional press corps, and promised to respect Internet freedoms. But, despite the right to patronize online gambling sites being selected by respondents to the Presidential online poll asking the top technological issue, Obama has been mum about personal leanings.
However,the increased effort to seize bank accounts carrying payments to Internet gambling patrons in the US by Eric Holder's Department of Justice already had gaming insiders worried they might have been sold a bill of goods during the campaign. The quick answer Tuesday may be an even more ominous sign.
