The Bill in Bullet Points

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THE POLITICIANS
BILL FRIST
Republican leader in the Senate. May make presidential bid and sees anti-gambling legislation as vote winner. He initially tried to attach the measure to the Department of Defence Budget Bill before attaching it to an unrelated Bill that enhances port security.
JON KYL
The Bill’s chief sponsor in the Senate. An Arizona Republican who asserts that online betting is as addictive as crack and is a moral threat. With Frist, he tried unsuccessfully to attach the measure to a Bill authorising funding for the military.
JIM LEACH
A congressman, he thrashed out a deal with Frist whereby Leach will “repay” Frist for trying to pass the measure through the Senate by promoting his Tennessee colleague as a presidential candidate in Leach’s home state of Iowa.
THE COMPANIES
PARTYGAMING
Floated: June 2005 at 116p, valuing it at £4.64bn
Founders: Anurag Dikshit has taken out £486m and retains 28.9% worth £521m. Ruth Parasol has taken out £270m and retains 14.87% worth £268m. Russ DeLeon has taken out £270m and retains 14.87%. Vikrant Bhargava has taken out £197m and retains 6.96% worth £125m.
SPORTINGBET
Floated: January 2001 at 120p, valuing it at £156m.

Founder: Mark Blanford has taken out £26.2m since the listing and retains 1.8%, worth £5m.
888
Floated: September 2005 at 175p, valuing it at £590m.

Founders: Avi and Aharon Shaked have taken out £104m and retain 50% worth £186.8m. The Ben-Yitzhak family have taken out £34m and retain a 17.5% stake worth £62m.
THE LAW
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act 2006
ILLEGAL

Acceptance or handling of credit card or electronic money transfers from US punters
Acceptance or handling of cheques or drafts from US punters
Acceptance or handling of any funds by/from financial institutions or financial intermediaries LEGAL
Bets made or received in Indian tribal lands
Inter-state horseracing bets
Fantasy leagues
State lotteries