WASHINGTON-The Bush administration said legislation to ban Internet gambling should apply to all communications platforms, a position that runs headlong into the growing global practice of making bets on mobile phones.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Malcom, testifying before a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing yesterday, recommended that Congress cast a wide net to combat a $4 billion-a-year industry largely comprising offshore-based Web sites.
Critics, including the Justice Department and some lawmakers, say illegal Internet gambling causes financial and social problems for individuals. In addition, policy-makers see Internet gambling as a slick vehicle for money laundering and other illicit activities of organized crime.
Other lawmakers, as well as the gambling industry, argue Internet gambling should be left to state regulation.
