Obama Bashers Mistake Gambling Comment For A Presidential Stance

President Obama has not officially taken a stance in the legislative debate involving online gambling, but critics of the Obama Administration have latched on to a short answer the president gave this week. Obama said that legalizing gambling, some drugs, and prostitution would not be part of his suggestions to stimulate the economy.

A Lehigh Carbon Community College student asked Obama if he would, based on his criminology studies, consider legalizing some drugs, prostitution, or gambling to help stimulate the economy. The president was brief in his response.

"I appreciate the boldness of your question," said Obama, "That will not be my job strategy." He did, however, acknowledge that the question was in line with the type questions that students have been asking for decades.

President Obama went a little farther, saying that marijuana legalization would not be a "good strategy." Many in the online gambling industry believed that Obama would be pro-Internet gambling regulations, even though the president never said that would be the case.

The extent that Obama had gone in his campaign was an admission to want to keep the Internet free from government interference. He has not officially taken a stance on Internet gambling.

This past week, lawmakers started to discuss proposed legislation from Representative Barney Frank that would overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The Bill would also lay the foundation for regulated online gambling in the US.

Since Obama has taken office, members of the online gambling industry have wondered about his stance on the issue. Recent attacks on the industry by the US Department of Justice have raised concerns about the administrations desire to overturn the UIGEA, though some experts believe the Justice Department is simply enforcing the laws that currently stand in the US.

December 5, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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