States Are Considering Online Betting Moves
Published: Friday, March 18, 2005 Online-Casinos.com
RESTLESS STATES
Three US states are considering online betting moves
The "murky" state of US federal law on Internet gambling was highlighted in a mainstream media article in USA Today this week.
The report says that "....undeterred by murky federal law and emboldened by a (WTO) trade ruling, at least three states are edging toward legalizing online gambling, and Great Britain is on the verge of permitting its land-based casinos to take bets online from U.S. citizens."
Describing these happenings as the latest assault on the federal Wire Act of 1961, which bans use of telephones to place sports bets, the author writes that U.S. lawmakers have struggled unsuccessfully for a decade to update the law, hoping to restrain the fast-growing, $10 billion-a-year Internet gambling industry.
Legal experts say that the act is narrow, difficult to enforce and that it does not specifically ban casino games. The vague law has prompted online gaming overtures from States lawmakers who say they are confident proposed legislation will not violate federal law, and they are willing to defend themselves in court.
"No one wants tax increases. This is a legitimate revenue maker," says North Dakota state Rep. Jim Kasper, who introduced legislation that would allow Internet poker sites to operate inside the state which has just passed the House and now goes to a people's vote.
Kasper says legalised Internet poker could bring in millions through taxes and fees although North Dakota's constitution would have to be amended.
Illinois' legislature is considering a bill to allow the sale of lottery tickets online to state residents 18 and older. The bill, scheduled for a Senate vote next month, could generate millions, says state Sen. John Cullerton.
Georgia state Rep. Terry Barnard, has proposed a similar bill. It passed the House last week.
All this comes against the backdrop the possible advent of legalised online gaming in the UK, and of a closely watched World Trade Organization gaming decision. The U.S. is appealing a WTO ruling that it violates international trade rules by allowing credit cards to be used for domestic gambling but not online bets.
