A bill proposed by Representative Jim Leach (R-Iowa) to stop Internet gambling passed through the United States House of Representatives on Tuesday on a voice vote. Known as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Funding Prohibition Act, the bill would prohibit the use of credit cards, checks and wire transfers to pay for Internet gambling.

The bill states that Internet gambling is a major cause of debt collection problems for insured depository institutions and the consumer credit industry and that Internet gambling conducted through offshore jurisdictions has been identified by law enforcement officials as having a significant money laundering vulnerability.

The bill would allow any intrastate gambling currently allowed by an individual state but prohibit a site from taking wagers from any out-of-state customers.--Howard Bass