Though this goes a bit away from the normal gaming goodies we’re covering, this just amazes me. Hidden away in a bill aimed at improving port security in the US was a little mention which prohibits banks and credit cards firms from processing internet gambling payments if the customers originate in the United States. Basically, prohibition is now in effect, thanks to the Republican members of the House who slipped this freedom-inhibating text into a completely un-related bill which they knew wouldn’t undergo a large amount of scrutiny. This has sent the stock prices of some of the world’s largest online gambling companies spiraling out of control, with some firms losing up to 50% of their values. While the trend in the online gambling industry has been to shift their business away from the US, where conservative politics are a bit, shall we say, unstable, many firms are still feeling the hit. So, one of the many remaining questions is, how long until a similar bill against online gaming appears, because, you know, World of Warcraft and Second Life are just as addictive as online gambling and people are able to lose lots of money with both games. A stretch, but, hey, it’s late and we’ve spent a lot of time listening to self-important academics discussing their blogs (or is that egos?) over the past few days.

Read more: Online gambling prohibition coming to the US