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House Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Endorses U.S. Regulation of Internet Gambling

March 1, 2008

Congressman George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Democratic Policy Committee and the House Education and Labor Committee, has signed on as a co-sponsor of the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act.  The legislation, introduced last year by Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), would allow licensed operators to provide Internet gambling services in the United States. 

As a member of the Democratic Leadership and chairman of the House Democratic Policy Committee, Congressman Miller is responsible for helping Democrats to develop and articulate a wide range of policies of benefit to all Americans.  He has a long record of important legislative achievements and is a leading advocate in Congress on education, labor, the economy, and the environment.

“The endorsement of this key legislation by Congressman Miller, one of the most influential leaders on Capitol Hill, further demonstrates the growing support for regulated Internet gambling,” said Jeffrey Sandman, spokesperson for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative.  “We expect continuing momentum in Congress as more people realize that the current approach to prohibit Internet gambling is a failure.  Rather than leave consumers vulnerable in an underground, uncontrolled marketplace, regulation of Internet gambling would protect consumers and generate billions in revenue needed for critical government programs.” 

The Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act (H.R. 2046) and the Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act (H.R. 2607), a companion bill introduced by Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA), would regulate and tax Internet gambling activity.  Under the proposed legislation, each Internet gambling operator would be licensed by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and required to ensure that the individual placing the bet or wager is physically located in a jurisdiction that permits a particular form of Internet gambling.  The legislation would reinforce the rights of States to control what, if any, level of Internet gambling was permissible within their borders, including the ability to apply additional taxes, and to ensure that appropriate consumer protections and limitations were in place.

According to a tax revenue analysis prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers, taxation of Internet gambling is expected to generate between $8.7 billion to $42.8 billion in federal revenues over its first ten years.

About Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative

The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative promotes the freedom of individuals to gamble online with the proper safeguards to protect consumers and ensure the integrity of financial transactions.  For more information on the Initiative, please visit www.safeandsecureig.org.  The Web site provides a means by which individuals can register support for regulated Internet gambling with their elected representatives.

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