Yesterday, I spoke with an aide to a Republican congressman who, as far as congressmen go, is somewhat libertarian. The aide told me that much to his chagrin, said congressman will be backing the ban on Internet gambling. What’s more, the aide said the congressman actually understands the economics of prohibitions, he just thinks that this will be the one time they don’t apply.
“For some reason, he thinks this is one instance where government can actually pull it off,” the aide said.
Unbelievable.
Internet gambling is already illegal, of course. That’s why gaming sites set up and operate offshore (several are actually traded on the London Stock Exchange). Yet, it’s still a $12 billion industry in the U.S. That means government already is trying, and failing, to prohibit it.
I guess the thinking is — as it is with the drug war — that if we try just a bit harder, spend just a bit more, harass private citizens just a bit more, and give government a bit more power, we’ll be able to buck history and finally make a vice prohibition stick.