Experts
Say Online Casinos Bill Unlikely to Pass
The controversial bill
that will ultimately ban online casinos and gambling on the
internet is unlikely to pass in the Senate some experts say.
Sources from with in the Senate say that the bill is too full of
holes to pass and only before certain changes are made can the
bill be considered seriously. The bill has run into opposition
from lobbyists and trade groups from the online casinos
industry. Even some Republican backers are agreeing that there
are major amendments that need to be made to the bill before it
stands a chance of passing.
The online casinos industry also contributes hugely to some
congressional campaigns and this is likely ruffle a few feathers
within the ranks of the Senate.
The bill is intended to ban all forms of online casinos and also
to make the financial transactions between banks and credit card
companies and the online casinos illegal. The bill is also
needed to update the 1961 Federal Wire Act, which prohibits
wagers to be made over state lines using telecommunications
systems.
Strangely though, the bill is designed to ban gambling in online
casinos but not to ban internet lotteries and internet horse
wagering. This point is being argued as inconsistent by those
who are against the bill as well as those who are for the bill.
Any member who has reservations about any bill to be passed in
the Senate is free to put what is called a 'secret hold' on
legislation which means that the online casinos bill will not be
voted on before all the creases are ironed out.
The bill which is backed by the Republicans has been seen as an
attempt to win votes from the conservative party base in the
elections.
With the summer break fast approaching it doesn't look likely
that the problems of the online casinos bill will be resolved.
One source said that the bill was not at the top of the list of
priorities and the possibility of the problems of the bill being
resolved before the August recess were very slim. It is possible
for the online casinos bill to be discussed and resolved when
the Senate reconvenes in September but then this will limit the
time frame that members of Congress have to return to their
constituencies to begin campaigning for the elections.
To date the online casinos and land based gambling industries
have given over $6.4million to Federal candidates.
Backers of the online casinos bill are hoping that the problems
will be resolved quickly after the arrest online casinos boss
David Carruthers, who was arrested on charges of conspiracy and
racketeering. If the online casinos bill isn't resolved before
September then it may not be discussed again until December when
the Senate returns after the elections.
The online casinos industry generates over $12 billion (US) per
year and the number is steadily rising. Over half of that figure
can be attributed to gamblers in the United States.
Experts
Say Online Casinos Bill Unlikely to Pass
