BrianGarst.com

AP –

The House passed legislation Tuesday that would prevent gamblers from using credit cards to bet online and could block access to gambling Web sites.

The legislation would clarify and update current law to spell out that most gambling is illegal online. But there would be exceptions – for state-run lotteries and horse racing – and passage isn’t a safe bet in the Senate, where Republican leaders have not considered the measure a high priority.

The House voted 317-93 for the bill, which would allow authorities to work with Internet providers to block access to gambling Web sites.

…Supporters of the measure argued that Internet betting can be addictive and can lead people to lose their savings.

Leach said the problem is particularly acute for young people who are frequently on the Internet. “Never before has it been so easy to lose so much money so quickly at such a young age,” he said.

Yes, people certainly could lose their savings, but only if they choose to risk their savings. It can’t happen by accident. This kind of nanny-state, protect-the-people-from-themselves logic is typical of the ideologies of big government. To see it used here by  conservatives is telling as to the nature of their beliefs. In the end, only 17 Republicans, self proclaimed believers in small government, stood up for personal freedom.

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