7 October 2006
Net gambling ban
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The Christian Right has long played an active and effective role in shaping US social and economic policy. Well, that faction has flexed its muscles once again: the target this time, the gambling and betting operators that have taken off since the internet went truly mainstream.
In recent days, a bill was tabled in Congress that would effectively ban Americans from most forms of online gambling.
The anti-gambling bill is a victory for ultra-conservative Republicans, who in the lead-up to the November mid-term elections have been working hard to assert a claim to the 'values' agenda.
But critics of the legislation have branded it a folly akin to the alcohol prohibition of the 1920s, and legal and technical experts have now suggested it will be difficult to police and may even be in breach of US obligations to the World Trade Organisation.
Guests
Lawrence Walters
Senior Partner, Weston, Garrou, DeWitt & Walters.
Jamie Nettleton
Senior Counsel, Addisons Lawyers
Presenter
Alan Saunders
Producer
Ian Coombe
Story Researcher and Producer
Scott Wales
