UK gaming rule bid 'not tax grab'

mkpdavies · 01-11-2006, 07:08 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6100012.stm

Quote:

The government's attempt to regulate the online gambling industry is not a bid to "grab" tax revenue, Sports Minister Richard Caborn has said.
Instead of banning it as in the US, the UK is to be the first major country to offer online gaming licences.

Mr Caborn says the move is designed to protect punters and rid online gambling of crime - not to "grab" tax revenue.

A big tax grab then.

As for the the USA banning it, land of the free? Don't make me laugh.

NoMoreEUSSR · 02-11-2006, 01:42 AM

Online wagering is not banned in the US.

Aiding and abetting it - e.g. bank or credit card company wiring a payment to an online betting site - has AIUI been banned under the new law, but bear in mind that most credit card companies refused to honour "gambling" payments anyway, long before the law was passed. The new US law has more to do with Republicans trying to woo ultra-conservatives than anything else, it seems.

John Carter · 02-11-2006, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoMoreEUSSR

Online wagering is not banned in the US.

No, but doing it across state lines is. It's to do with the 1961 Wire Act, which begins:

Quote:

Whoever being engaged in the business of betting or wagering knowingly uses a wire communication facility for the transmission in interstate or foreign commerce of bets or wagers or information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers on any sporting event or contest, or for the transmission of a wire communication which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers, or for information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both

As far as I'm aware, games of skill (on the part of the player) are exempt from this new law (which is effectively just a clampdown on the 1961 act). So poker's still OK, lotteries and sports betting isn't.

Expect to see more sites with a bunch of hard questions to answer in order to get around this restriction...

Quote:

What is the capital of France?

1) Cucumber.
2) Paris.
3) Joan Rivers.
4) Microsoft.

And to finish I'll quote you some early 90's lyrics:

Quote:

Land of the free? Whoever told you that is your enemy.

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02-11-2006, 01:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
NoMoreEUSSR Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ANZAC-Land Posts: 479	Online wagering is not banned in the US. Aiding and abetting it - e.g. bank or credit card company wiring a payment to an online betting site - has AIUI been banned under the new law, but bear in mind that most credit card companies refused to honour "gambling" payments anyway, long before the law was passed. The new US law has more to do with Republicans trying to woo ultra-conservatives than anything else, it seems.