KYL CURRIES FAVOUR

23 March 2007

Senator massages the president

Coinciding with Rep. Barney Frank's announcement this week that he intended to set about repealing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, and other moves by Nevada politicians to introduce an investigation into regulatory options, Arizona's Republican Senator Jon Kyl did a little presidential massaging.

It took the form of a letter thanking President Bush for his "protection of family values" and urging him to act immediately in ensuring that the forthcoming regulations for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) are as stringent as possible. The letter was circulated to senators.

Industry observers will regard the phrase "protection of family values" with some cynicism, bearing in mind the notorious carve-outs supported by Kyl for horse racing, state lotteries and fantasy sports.

Kyl, a long time adversary of online gambling (other than his 'exemptions') played a key role in getting the UIGEA through Congress attached by Sen. Bill Frist to an unrelated Port Security Bill.

Kyl seemed concerned by recent political moves against the UIGEA, commenting: "Any progress made over the last several months may evaporate if immediate action is not taken to ensure strong and effective implementing regulations," Kyl said in the letter.

At least one senator found the dichotomy interesting: "The politics of protecting state lotteries and Indian gaming is comical at times," he told American reporters on condition on anonymity. "Where are the families that this letter represents?

"Jon Kyl is like the instigator and teacher's pet in Junior High. You know, the one who always brings an apple to class. All the other students talk bad about him behind his back but because he is deemed as scholastically intelligent, they all vote him into Student Counsel."

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