Hearing on HR 2267: the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act
July 20, 2010
2010 Ron Paul 42:1
Thank you Mr. Chairman for holding this hearing on HR 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation,
Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. While it is out of character for me, to say the least, to support a bill that
regulates private transactions, I support HR 2267 because it repeals the ban on Internet gambling. The bill does not create
any new federal laws; it merely establishes a process to ensure that gambling sites can comply with existing laws, and thus
offer their services to adults who wish to gamble online.
2010 Ron Paul 42:2
The ban on Internet gambling infringes upon two freedoms that are important to many Americans: the
ability to do with their money as they see fit, and the freedom from government interference with the Internet.
2010 Ron Paul 42:3
The proper role of the federal government is not that of a nanny, protecting citizens from any and
every potential negative consequence of their actions. Although I personally believe gambling to be a dumb waste of money,
American citizens should be just as free to spend their money playing online poker as they should be able to buy a used
car, enter into a mortgage, or invest in a hedge fund. Risk is inherent in any economic activity, and it is not for the
government to determine which risky behaviors Americans may or may not engage in.
2010 Ron Paul 42:4
The Internet is a powerful tool, and any censorship of Internet activity sets a dangerous precedent.
Many Americans rely on the Internet for activities as varied as watching basketball games, keeping up on international news
broadcasts, or buying food and clothing. In the last few years we have seen ominous signs of the federal governmentís
desire to control the Internet. The ostensible reasons are to protect Americans from sex offenders, terrorists, and the
evils of gambling, but once the door is open to government intrusion, there is no telling what legitimate activity,
especially political activity, might fall afoul of government authorities.
2010 Ron Paul 42:5
The ban on Internet gambling also forces financial institutions to act as law enforcement officers.
This is another pernicious trend that has accelerated in the aftermath of the Patriot Act, the deputization of private
businesses to perform intrusive enforcement and surveillance functions that the federal government is unwilling to perform
on its own.
2010 Ron Paul 42:6
Mr. Chairman, while I am willing to support HR 2267 as a means to repeal the total ban on internet
gambling, I urge my colleagues to oppose any attempt to tax internet gambling. Taxing any commercial transition, including
gambling, is an unwarranted expansion of the taxing power and will cripple the development of internet commerce.
Furthermore, since the power to tax is the power to destroy, imposing taxes on internet gambling could simply morph into a
backdoor way of banning gambling on the internet. If opponents of the internet gambling ban are serious about expanding
individual liberty, they will oppose restricting the freedom of internet users to do what they want with their time and
property by imposing taxes on the bill.
2010 Ron Paul 42:7
In conclusion, I urge my colleagues to support Chairman Frankís HR 2267. While not perfect these bills
will take a step toward liberty by restoring the right of Americans to decide for them whether or not to gamble online.
Note:
This chapter is a statement before a committee, so it does not appear in Congressional Record.
It was downloaded from the Financial services Committee’s website at http://archives-financialservices.house.gov/Media/file/hearings/111/Rep_%20Paul%20%207_21_10.pdf and cached at https://ronpaulquotes.com/pdf.Rep_Paul_7_21_10.pdf.
