James Leach: Against Online Casino Gambling

Published: Tuesday, November 22, 2005 Online-Casinos.com

WHIPPING UP THE ANTI-ONLINE CASINO GAMBLING TROOPS

Leach tries to revitalise US anti-online casino gaming sentiment

IGN reports that Rep. James Leach, R-Iowa, a long-time advocate of prohibiting online casino gambling in the United States, has broken 10 months of relative silence in the U.S. House of Representatives on the issue with a letter urging his colleagues to take more action.

The letter, addressed to members of Congress and signed only by Leach, points out the social risks of online casino gambling as well as what Leach terms a "national security concern." He specifically refers to stated concerns form the Department of State, including "criminal activities ranging from terrorist financing to tax evasion."

The anti-online casino gaming ball has been in Senate's court most recently, specifically in the hands of Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., who was unable to get his version passed in the Senate during the 108th Congress, which ran through 2004. Kyl has drafted at least two versions of the bill since the 109th Congress commenced in January 2005, although neither has been formally introduced. His latest campaign was a failed attempt to have the bill attached to an appropriations measure in September.

The second session of the 109th Congress begins in January, at which time Kyl is expected to make another push