WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives today approved H.R. 4411, the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act. The bill passed by a vote of 317 - 93. Congressman Spencer Bachus made the following statement:
“Some claim illegal Internet gambling is a victimless crime. In fact, the very real victims of illegal Internet gambling are underage gamblers, who are by the tens of thousands becoming compulsive, addictive gamblers. It is a mushrooming epidemic, leaving in its wake suicides, crime, and financial and family tragedies.
“When it comes to illegal Internet gambling, there are three reasons it is particularly dangerous:
- Harvard Medical School, the University of South Florida and the American Psychiatric Association have all conducted studies showing that the earlier one begins gambling, the more likely it is he or she will become an addicted, problem gambler. In fact, teenagers are three to four times more likely to become addicted than the older population.
- Pre-teens, teens and college students have unlimited access to the Internet - 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because of the repeated exposure they have to illegal Internet gambling sites, they fall victim by the thousands. In fact, a University of Connecticut study showed that as many as three in four pre-teens and teens who are exposed to Internet gambling become addicted.
- Compulsive problem gambling – particularly among young people – has been shown to result in the following:
- Increased withdrawal from normal activities;
- Turning to criminal activities to recoup financial losses;
- Taking drugs to deal with depression, and increased suicides;
- Irresponsible behavior, leading to familial and other relationship problems.
v A study by McGill University found that nearly one-third of teen compulsive gamblers attempted suicide.
“Shockingly, a University of Pennsylvania study says the number of young people addicted to gambling – largely due to increased exposure to the Internet and Internet gambling – grew by an alarming 20 percent between 2004 and 2005 alone. Thus, we are seeing that Congress’ failure to act in prior years has already had devastating consequences on America’s youth.
“For these reasons, I have been working with my colleagues in the House and Senate for years to put an end to Internet gambling and was proud to vote in favor of a bill that takes strong steps to curtail this corrupting practice. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly take up this vital measure.”
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