PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Congressional Research Service
Version 17 · Reported to House with amendment(s) · Dec 13, 2001
Unlawful Internet Gambling Funding Prohibition Act - (Sec. 3) - Prohibits any person engaged in a business of betting or wagering from knowingly accepting in connection with the participation of another person in Internet gambling: (1) credit; (2) electronic fund transfers or funds transmitted by or through a money transmitting business; (3) any instrument drawn by or on behalf of another and payable through any financial institution; or (4) the proceeds of any other form of financial transaction involving a financial institution as payer or financial intermediary for another.Includes in the definition of bets or wagers: (1) the purchase of a chance or opportunity, predominantly subject to chance, to win a lottery or other prize; (2) sports betting; and (3) any instructions or information pertaining to the establishment or movement of funds in an account by the bettor or customer with the business of betting or wagering.Excludes from the definition of bets or wagers: (1) any activity governed by the securities laws for the purchase or sale of securities; (2) any transaction subject to the Commodity Exchange Act; (3) over-the-counter derivative instruments; (4) any other transaction exempt from State gaming or bucket shop laws; (5) any contract of indemnity or guarantee, or for insurance; (6) deposits or transactions with a depository institution; (7) any participation in a simulation sports game or an educational game or contest that meets certain requirements; and (8) any transaction authorized under State law with a State-licensed or authorized business.Prescribes judicial guidelines under which the Federal district courts exercise exclusive jurisdiction to prevent or restrain violations of this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General or any State attorney general to institute proceedings for injunctive relief. Grants the United States enforcement authority for violations on Indian lands. Requires the Attorney General to notify and allow the appropriate Federal banking agency reasonable time to issue an order before initiating any proceeding with respect to an actual or potential violation by an insured depository institution.Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorizing an injunction against an interactive computer service unless it is acting in concert or participation with a person who violates this Act, and receives actual notice of a related court order.Prescribes a criminal fine and/or up to five years imprisonment for violations of this Act. Authorizes a court to enter a permanent injunction enjoining any person convicted of a criminal offense under this Act from any activity related to illegal bets or wagers.Specifies circumstances for the liability under this Act of any creditor, credit card issuer, financial institution, operator of a terminal at which an electronic fund transfer may be initiated, money transmitting business, or international, national, regional, or local network utilized to effect a credit transaction, electronic fund transfer, or money transmitting service, or any participant in such network, or any interactive computer service or telecommunications service.Makes liable under this Act any such creditor, issuer, institution, operator, business, network, or participant that has actual knowledge and control of bets and wagers and: (1) operates, manages, supervises, or directs an Internet website at which unlawful bets or wagers are offered or may be placed, received, or otherwise made; or (2) owns or controls, or is owned or controlled by, any person who operates, manages, supervises, or directs such a website.Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to provide that, if an appropriate Federal banking agency determines that an insured depository institution is engaged in activities proscribed under this Act, such agency may issue an injunction.(Sec. 4) Declares that the Federal Government, in deliberations with a foreign government on money laundering, corruption, and crime issues, should: (1) encourage cooperation by foreign governments and relevant international fora in identifying whether Internet gambling operations are being used for money laundering or other crimes; (2) advance policies that promote international cooperation in the enforcement of this Act; and (3) encourage the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering to study the extent to which Internet gambling operations are being used for money laundering.Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress on deliberations between the United States and other countries on Internet gambling-related issues.
People & committees
Rep. Leach, James A. [R-IA-1] · R–IA
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6839-6841)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6839-6841)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 556.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6839-6848)
Mr. Leach moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 220.
Committee on Judiciary discharged.
Committee on Judiciary discharged.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than March 29, 2002.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 107-339, Part I.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 21, 2001.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 107-339, Part I.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit discharged..
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 34 - 18.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.556 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.556 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.556 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.556 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.