.... who's being protected here.

Article states:
...bill to make it illegal to use credit cards or any form of electronic payment for the illegal offshore activity...
AND It again states
...would make it a crime for a gambling business to accept credit cards, checks or fund transfers in connection with unlawful Internet gambling

Is that like making it illegal for a drug dealer to take Mastercard? I'm sure that threat scares the hell out of them.

Article states:
...Lawmakers said Internet gambling especially preys on college-age youth who have access to credit cards and computers but no way to pay the bills they run up.

So... If we could ASSURE these (article calls them)'unlawful & illegal Crooks' that they would get their money from these college kids THEN would everything be OK?

Now, WHO is it we are protecting again??