Religious Group Lies About Internet Gambling Exposed in Hearing
Focus on the Family (FOF) and similar religious groups for years have been pushing fear as a reason to ban certain activities important to American culture. They have put out statements such as it is illegal to gamble over the internet, that money laundering and funding of terrorists is being done via gambling websites, and that underage gambling is not controllable.
In the House Judiciary Hearing held on Wednesday of this week, Catherine Hanaway, a U.S. Attorney from Minnesota was asked if it was illegal to place wagers over the internet by Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) and she responded by saying that it is not illegal to place a wager over the internet.
Congressman Howard Coble (R-NC) asked her if Internet Gaming sites are bastions for terrorist money laundering, she responded that there is no evidence to that fact.
Mike Colopy of Aristotle, a leading provider of verification services completely dismissed claims that there were no protections available to keep underage persons off gambling sites by delivering compelling testimony outlining a number of products and services available today that are nearly 100 percent effective in keeping children off age-restricted sites.
And finally, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), posing questions to Tom McClusky, VP of Government Affairs, Family Research Council, when McClsuky was asked what it is that he does for fun, he answered it was testifying at hearings. During the hearing, McClusky showed his ignorance of all areas of this issue by citing facts that are not in evidence, skewed towards his mindset, or totally inaccurate.
