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ANOTHER STEP FORWARD FOR GOODLATTE BILL

Attempt to prohibit online gambling in the USA passed by crime sub-committee


Reuters carried the disappointing news this week that a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee has approved a bill that would ban Internet gambling, despite recent recommendations from the American Gaming Association that a congressional investigating committee be tasked with a detailed study of an entertainment enjoyed by millions of Americans.

The Bill still has some way to travel and now goes to a full committee for further consideration and debate, but it is a step forward for Rep. Bob Goodlatte, who sponsors the proposal.

The legislation seeks to update and expand an existing federal law to cover all forms of interstate gambling within the United States, and would bar a gambling business from accepting payment in the form of credit cards, checks, wire and Internet transfers. It would also prohibit gambling on an estimated 2,300 offshore Internet gambling sites.

Shares of some British-based gaming companies fell on news that the bill had progressed another step. PartyGaming Plc and 888 Holdings lost about 5 percent each in value on the London Stock Exchange.

The bill was approved on a voice vote by the House Judiciary subcommittee on crime. However, it remains unclear whether the legislation will reach floor votes in the House and Senate. Congress has a relatively short schedule this year because of the November congressional elections.

"Virtual betting parlors have attempted to avoid the application of United States law by locating themselves offshore and out of our jurisdictional reach," said Rep. Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican who wrote the bill. The offshore companies use Internet sites that are "unlicensed, untaxed and unregulated," he said.