Online Petition - Repeal the UIGEA

As you probably all know by now, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (or the UIGEA) was passed last year during the closing moments of the congressional session. Tacked on to the end of the Port Security Bill 15 minutes before the bill was presented on the Congress floor, politicians had no time to read through the entire bill before voting on it. Since the Port Security Bill was deemed important enough to pass before sessions closed, it was voted through along with the ridiculous UIGEA.

This not only resulted in numerous publicly owned UK companies going out of business, but it also marked a direct intrusion into the private lives of U.S. citizens and what they could or could not do with their hard-earned money. Gamblers and those who see revenue from online casinos were understandably upset, but the protests to the UIGEA extended well beyond those individuals.

Congressman Barney Frank, head of the Financial Service Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, said, “One argument (for the passing of the UIGEA) was this activity adds nothing to the GDP (gross domestic product). That’s a chilling principle; that if something doesn’t add to the gross domestic product we can ban it. That’s a kind of … corporatism that is very troubling to me.”

The WTO has also ruled against the U.S in their passing of the UIGEA. The U.S. claims moral grounds for the passing of the bill, but the WTO has wisely taken exception to the fact that the bill still allows horse racing and state run lotteries (not to mention land-based gambling). So much for protecting the citizens against themselves.

UIGEA PETITION

But there is hope for the future. Congressman Frank is preparing to present a bill which would repeal the UIGEA. While the GOP will no doubt offer strong opposition, the hope is that the American people will make their voices heard and urge their representatives in Washington to do the reasonable thing. It might also help that several of those responsible for pushing the bill through were defeated in their bids for re-election (due to large part to disgruntled gamblers going out to the polls in force).

There’s also a new petition which calls for the repeal of the UIGEA. It expresses that public opinion desires a repeal of the law which has seen most major gambling sites disappear from the U.S. market. The goal is to gather 400,000 signatures, but the petition will be hand delivered to Congressman Frank is it receives just 10,000 signatures.

Here’s what the petition looks like:

Dear Members of Congress,

As an American, I am outraged to learn that Congress has passed legislation that will severely restrict my ability to have certain freedoms in my own home.

Unfair passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act is clearly designed to restrict the freedoms of voters who sent you to office to represent them, and prevent us from making mature decisions about how we spend our leisure time and money.

I am further outraged to learn that the bill was added at a late hour to the Safe Port Security Bill without the ability of debate and only 15 minutes prior to a vote on a must pass bill.It is improper for Congress to declare itself the overseer of American Morals and to enact legislation that dictates ideology instead of common sense.

The United States, in so enacting this law, has willfully violated World Trade Organization rules and the WTO has ruled against the United States on this issue, in favor of the country of Antigua. Now the European Union is considering similar action as this is seen globally as protectionism.

I urge you to use your considerable power and influence to ensure that this unfair legislation is repealed post haste, and our right to freedom is preserved.

I understand and agree that by signing this petition, I am in favor of the repeal of the UIGEA.

While adding your signature to this petition won’t guarantee any action on the part of the government, it is a great way to make your voice heard. And after all, isn’t that what living in a democracy is all about?

If you would like to read more about the fight against the UIGEA, check out the following articles:

Internet Gambling Laws

Repeal Unlawful Internet Gambling

Online Petition - Repeal the UIGEA