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Nevada Politicians Preparing
New Attempt At Online Gambling Study
Possible alliance with Barney Frank
initiative mooted
The logical idea of carrying out a thorough investigation to determine
whether online gambling can be effectively regulated in the United
States has again achieved prominence in American media, with two
respected Nevada politicians leading the charge.
Previous attempts have been made to get such an enquiry, which
would have the support of the American Gaming Association, off the
ground and could provide ammunition for efforts to seek the repeal
of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act
The two Nevada lawmakers, Reps. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and Jon
Porter, R-Nev., will co-sponsor the legislation, which is expected
to be unveiled within weeks. Work has already started on legislation
that would require the National Academy of Sciences to conduct an
18-month study of online wagering.
The Nevadans also hope to gain a powerful ally in Rep. Barney Frank,
D-Mass, reports the Las Vegas Gaming Wire. Frank, chairman of the
powerful House Financial Services Committee and a longtime critic
of gambling restrictions, has called last year's ban on Internet
gambling financial transactions "preposterous" and one
of the "stupidest" bills ever passed.
Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., attached the
ban to an unrelated port security bill that passed in the waning
hours of last year's congressional session. Frank has said he is
considering proposing a repeal of the ban, and will be clarifying
his plans within the next few weeks.
Representative Berkley said she talked to Frank earlier this week
on the House floor about Internet gambling and they plan to meet
again "in the very near future."
"The purpose of our bill is to provide a comprehensive study
with detailed information on the expanded growth of Internet gambling,"
Berkley said.
To avoid the political bickering that plagued a federal commission
that completed a two-year study of legalised gambling in June 1999,
Berkley and Porter would assign the Internet gambling study to the
National Research Council, which is an agency of the National Academy
of Sciences.
"This actually is a very independent institution which has
the resources to get the facts to Congress," Porter said.
Porter introduced a similar bill last year, which Berkley co-sponsored.
Even though Congress chose instead to approve a ban on Internet
gambling financial transfers, Porter said he thinks lawmakers would
consider a repeal.
A date has not been set, but Porter said he still plans to visit
the Isle of Man, Britain, and Madrid, Spain, to observe Internet
gambling regulatory operations firsthand.
Berkley's position on Internet gambling has changed since July
2000, when she voted for an online betting ban proposed by Rep.
Bob Goodlatte, R-Va.
"I would say technology has improved over the last few years,
and I have greater faith in the ability to regulate Internet gambling
so that it does not pose a threat to minors," Berkley said.
__________________
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close they were to success when they gave up"
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