Congress Eyes Study of Online Gambling, Deferral of Legislation
Led by Rep. Jon Porter (R-Nevada), a total of 49 Congressmen are calling for the Senate to postpone acting on its version of an online gaming prohibition. What’s more, Rep. Porter this week said he is planning to visit the Isle of Man, a small island, between Ireland and England, to learn more about how the self-governing land effectively regulates Internet gambling.
"Internet gambling is not going away, even with the position the House has taken," Rep. Porter said.
Rep. Porter has introduced a bill, formally calling for an 18-month study of Internet gambling by a panel of Congressmen. “There are a lot of reasonable folks who still want to get all the facts about Internet gaming,” said Porter.
Meeting with Isle of Man
The Congressmen met two weeks ago with officials from the Isle of Man, who suggested he visit their homeland to view how they effectively regulate gaming.
Experts said MGM Mirage, one of America’s leading brand names, once owned an online gambling license from the Isle of Man. Others in the gaming industry are interested in making contacts there now, Rep. Porter said.
Last month, Rep. Porter voted against H.R. 4411, the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act. The bill, which makes online wagering illegal and increases penalties for violations, passed the House by a 317 – 93 vote, but is on hold in the Senate.
“The impact of Internet gambling reaches far and wide, which is why we need to have a comprehensive understanding of its effects, both socially and economically, before making any rash decisions about its future,” said Rep. Porter. “Unfortunately, a majority of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle chose to move forward with an online gaming ban despite having limited information on this evolving technology. Regardless of today’s vote, I will continue to drum up support for an Internet gaming study.”
Gaming Commission
The Congressman’s Internet Gambling Study Commission Act proposal would establish a commission to examine the impact of online gambling. Nevada Congressmen Jim Gibbons and Shelley Berkley are original co-sponsors of the bipartisan legislation, which, when passed, will result in the first study of its kind, Rep. Porter said.
The bill would create a bipartisan Internet Gambling Study Commission, which would consist of nine appointed members. The Commission would then conduct a comprehensive study of Internet gambling, including the current legal framework in the U.S., which governs gaming. Then, within eighteen months, the commission will submit a report on their findings and conclusions to President Bush and leaders in the Congress. That bill, then, will contain recommendations, if any, for legislative or administrative action, a spokesman for the Congressman told OnlineCasinoCrawler.
There appears to be a lot of support for easing up on the online gaming industry. A poll released this week by a major cable news network in the U.S., CNBC, indicates that 91 percent of those polled do not want a gambling ban in the U.S. The poll was conducted online, and 2,532 votes were cast. Will Congress listen to U.S. public opinion in an election year? The odds are pretty good for that.
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