craschworks

Yet another example of the use of war as excuse to expand state power. If it becomes law, I expect that it will facilitate the adoption of alternative currencies such as e-gold and
goldmoney.

http://www.wired.com/news/conflict/0,2100,47518,00.html

Terror Bill Limits Gambling, Too By Declan McCullagh ([email protected]) 2:00 a.m. Oct. 12, 2001 PDT

WASHINGTON — Osama bin Laden is not, according to news reports, a terribly big fan of Western vices.

Nor has there been any reliable confirmation that last month's suicide-hijackers, who completed the bloodiest terrorist attack in American history, were habitual gamblers.

But that didn't stop the House Financial Services committee from voting 62-1 on Thursday for an “anti-terrorism” bill that limits Internet gambling.

In the words of Rep. Marge Roukema (R-New Jersey): “We've heard testimony from the FBI, the Department of Justice, and law enforcement that there is a clean nexus, a connection, between Internet gambling and money laundering of terrorism activities.”

The measure has been dubbed the “Financial Anti-Terrorism Act” (PDF), and it prohibits financial institutions from accepting credit cards, electronic transfers and checks used in online gambling. Another part of the 121-page bill gives the Customs Service more power to inspect
packages sent through the mail.