The National Gambling Impact Study Commission presented its final list of recommendations for gambling-related policy last week, including recommendations for the prohibition of Internet Gaming. A synopses was published in Interactive Gaming News. Since then we've gotten our hands on the official recommendations as they'll be presented in the Commission's final report next month.
No major changes have been made since last week, although the third recommendation, regarding the prohibition of technology in which gambling can be provided, was wisely scrapped.
Here's the list:
V. Technology and the Future of Gambling
5.1 The Commission recommends to the President, Congress, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) that the Federal government should prohibit internet gambling within the United States, and asks that the DOJ develop enforcement strategies included but not limited to Internet Service Providers, credit card providers, and money transfer agencies. Further, the Commission recognizes that Internet gambling is expanding rapidly, bringing gambling into the home of every family with a computer. Since it crosses State lines, it is difficult for States to adequately monitor and regulate such gambling.
5.2 The Commission recommends to the President, Congress, and State governments the passage of legislation prohibiting wire transfers to known Internet gambling sites, or the banks who represent them. Furthermore, the Commission recommends the passage of legislation stating that any credit card debts incurred while gambling on the Internet are unrecoverable.
5.5 The Commission recommends to the President and Congress that because Internet gambling is expanding most rapidly though off shore operators, the Federal government should take steps to encourage or enable foreign governments not to harbor Internet gambling organizations that prey on U.S. citizens.