Congress has taken significant steps to curtail illegal gambling on the Internet. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted 317-93 for legislation that would prohibit cards and other payment
forms from being used to settle Internet wagers. That means Internet gamblers in the U.S. would have to set up their own off-shore bank accounts and credit cards to continue gambling online. The bill
would also allow Internet service providers to block access to gambling Web sites, with the exception of state-run lotteries and horse racing. It now moves to the Senate, although the item isn't
considered a priority and will likely not be considered this session. While the bill's supporters say the momentum generated by the House will move it through the Senate, analysts aren't so sure it
will easily pass; critics argue it would be too difficult to enforce the law and that regulating and collecting taxes on the $12 billion industry would be more effective than a ban. "Prohibition as a
general principle is a bad principle, because it doesn't work," bill opponent Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) has said. In the past, gaming companies have opposed online gambling, but recently, the American
Gaming Association, the industry's largest lobbying arm, has softened its stance.
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