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www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Oct-03-Thu-2002/business/19764978.html
Thursday, October 03,
[2002
ONLINE GAMBLING: Kyl to push Web bet ban in Senate
Arizona lawmaker led previous efforts against online wagering
By TONY BATT
STEPHENS WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON -- Following this week's House vote, Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., plans to attach restrictions banning Internet gambling to legislation in the Senate before Congress adjourns this year, a Kyl spokesman said Wednesday.
Kyl led efforts to ban Internet gambling in July 1998 and November 1999. The Senate voted 90-10 in favor of the ban in 1998 and passed the 1999 bill by voice vote. Both measures died when the House did not take them up.
On Tuesday, the House passed by voice vote a bill by Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa, that would prohibit the use of credit cards, checks and electronic fund transfers to pay for online betting transactions.
If Kyl succeeds in pushing the Leach bill through the Senate and President Bush signs the legislation into law, Internet gambling could be outlawed by the end of the year.
"This time we were waiting for the House to act in order for the Senate to go," Kyl spokesman Matt Latimer said. "I don't think he has decided which legislation (will be used for the Internet gambling ban). He is considering his options."
Latimer said Kyl would push the Leach bill rather than legislation by Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., that would amend the 1961 Wire Act to prohibit Internet gambling.
Although Johnson would prefer his bill, he would still be willing to work with Kyl, according to Johnson spokesman Bob Martin.
"We would prefer amending the Wire Act, but we have worked previously with Kyl on efforts to ban Internet gambling," Martin said.
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he would favor any bill that stops or slows Internet gambling. The Bear, Stearns & Co. investment firm estimates there are 1,800 Internet gambling sites and annual industry revenue is expected to reach $4.2 billion by 2003.
"Internet gambling is uncontrollable and very bad for the country," said Reid, a former chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission.
As Senate majority whip, Reid helps determine which bills come to the Senate floor. But even though Reid supports the prohibition of Internet gambling, he said he doubts the Senate will vote on a ban this year.
"We're not doing anything over here," Reid said, referring to the gridlock between Democrats and Republicans over the creation of a new homeland security department.
Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., agreed that it is unlikely the Senate will vote on an Internet gambling ban this year.
"I support the concept of an Internet gambling ban, but the only difficulty is in the enforcement," Ensign said.
Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association, the casino industry's chief lobbying arm, said his group continues to oppose Internet gambling. As for the Leach bill, Fahrenkopf parsed his words.
"We don't oppose it. But there is a difference in not opposing it and supporting it," Fahrenkopf said. "There are people in the industry who are concerned that the ban on credit card payments for Internet gambling could be applied to credit for other forms of gaming."
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I realize this is five years ago, but that's still good enough to give Sen. Ensign [R-NV] an "F" until he does something in our favor.
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I felt like puking reading that article. The smug bastards.