42 Sponsors For Gambling Investigation
Published: Tuesday, June 13, 2006 Online-Casinos.com
42 SPONSORS AND COUNTING FOR ONLINE GAMBLING INVESTIGATION PROPOSAL
Nevada Rep Jon Porter gets the ball rolling for looking at online gambling before trying to ban it
42 US politicians have so far endorsed Nevada Rep. Jon Porter's initiative in proposing a Congressional investigative committee to thoroughly explore every facet of online gambling instead of repeatedly trying to kill it off.
Jon Porter has introduced the Internet Gambling Study Commission Act, which establishes a commission to examine the impact of online gambling.
Nevada Reps. Jim Gibbons and Shelley Berkley are original co-sponsors of the bipartisan legislation, which amazingly would result in the first political study of its kind.
“With technology constantly evolving, we need a much better understanding of online gambling before Congress makes any rash decisions about its future,” Porter said in a prepared statement. “By establishing a bipartisan, independent study commission, we'll make sure we have all of the facts laid out on the table before considering any possible next steps.”
The legislation seeks to establish a bipartisan Internet Gambling Study Commission consisting of nine appointed members. The commission would conduct a comprehensive study of Internet gambling, including the existing legal framework that governs activities and transactions.
“Today, gambling has extended into new outlets and can be easily accessed through the Internet,” Gibbons said in a prepared statement. “In order to address this growing trend, and preserve the integrity and fairness of the games, we must conduct a thoughtful examination of the availability of online gaming.
“Restricting the online gaming industry without fully reviewing the potential negative impacts would be a knee-jerk reaction. I commend Congressman Porter for his leadership on this issue and am confident that this legislation will provide a thorough evaluation of Internet gaming,” Gibbons said.
Porter's efforts would seem to be gathering practical business and legal support, too. The major Nevada land operations seem to be behind the initiative, as is the American Gaming Association and recently the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) voted to investigate its position on Internet gaming after holding a hearing on the issue at its summer meeting in Boston. By its next meeting in January, the Council expects to have a complete picture on which sound decisions can be based.
