Online Gambling Prohibition - Carruthers 1 - Leach 0 - 04-08-06

April 8 - David Carruthers, chief executive of BetonSports, and the most outspoken of all online gambling groups over prohibition attempts in the US, exchanged a thread of emails with US Congressman and online gambling opponent Jim Leach. Leach came off third best, even though were only two runners...

They discussed the proposed legislation that will outlaw online gambling, which Leach and others like Robert Goodlatte and Jon Kyl are trying to pass through the US legislature. Carruthers makes a strong argument for regulation, rather than prohibition, of the industry. His arguments, to put it mildly, made Leach look like he was clutching at straws (which he seems to be perfecting as an art. Come to think of it, his previously failed attempts have given him a lot of practice).

Carruthers totally contradicted many of Leach's comments alleging links between online gambling and organized crime. Said Carruthers: "I take offence to the Congressman's unsubstantiated allegations about this industry and money laundering. He talks about money laundering but doesn't have any specific facts to back it up." Hear, hear.

Carruthers went on to say that prohibition would have exactly the opposite effect than what is needed and said "would not stop online gambling, it would send it underground and leave the vulnerable unprotected".

The only reasonable argument Leach could come up with was that online gambling was already "underground", and that the industry left the "vulnerable unprotected because companies that tap the American market violate our law and its protections". My three year old comes up with more compelling arguments when she tries to negotiate a second cupcake.

Carruthers invited Leach to visit BetonSports' offices in Costa Rica, or for a meeting in Washington, which Leach declined as it would be or ethically dubious, if not illegal". I thought government officials fall over their feet for a free holiday?

The Prohibition Bill suffers a setback - read more...

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