I have a confession: Until very recently, I was all for governments regulating the online gambling industry, especially in the wake of America’s latest prohibition. But now I must admit I’m having second thoughts: better thoughts. After all, even if the United States government does ‘do the right thing’ – that is – legalize and regulate gambling over the Internet, who is to say we’re going to like the new rules? And once these guidelines are all sorted out and agreed upon by all governments concerned, (yeah, like that is going to happen soon), what then?

The $64,000 question is: Are those same personal freedoms being demanded by online gambling proponents at risk of being curtailed due to any future regulatory measures? In other words, will the eventual freedom among Americans, for example, to place bets with online casinos, poker rooms and bingo halls etc. over the Internet be replaced by laws considered even more draconian? Perhaps regulating the online gambling industry is not the ideal solution. Self-regulating, on the other hand, could very well prove more advantageous in the end for freedom-loving Web surfers everywhere, gamblers or not. You know what they say, “Be careful what you wish for.” Keeping the government out of the Internet game may be the best medicine, especially for those sicker societies.

I recently read about 2008 US Presidential candidate Ron Paul and his position on online gaming. Interestingly enough, the good congressman is also a co-sponsor of Barney Frank’s bill calling for the American government to repeal the current awful Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and instead legalize and regulate the gaming industry. Paul’s support for Frank’s bill would hardly be a shocker if he were a Democrat, like Frank, only Ron Paul is a Republican. You know, those guys who talk out of one side of their mouth about the need for government to stay out of peoples’ lives, while prohibiting them from spending what little is left from their salaries after paying taxes on great American pastimes like poker.

Congressman Paul put it this way: “I believe strongly that the Internet should not be regulated by the federal government & believe even more strongly that people should be free to engage in the activities they wish, as long as they’re willing to take responsibility for their actions.” President Paul went on to add, “The majority of people in Washington were afraid to support the Internet for fear it would label them pro-porn or pro-gambling.”

Personally, I believe it is simply a question of being pro-honest with US voters.

C’mon on America. Get with the times; not behind them!