The Ban, an update..Outlook dims in Senate

[CAZ]

From Reuters:

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Outlook dims in Senate for online gambling bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Prospects have dimmed for swift U.S. Senate passage
of a bill to outlaw most forms of Internet gambling as industry trade
groups and lawmakers raise objections, congressional sources said on
Wednesday.

Efforts to move a House-passed measure through the Senate have run into
opposition from lobbyists representing casino owners and horse- and
dog-racing interests in recent days. Some Republican senators have broken
ranks and placed "holds" on it, the sources said.

"The House-passed bill is not going to pass the Senate," said one source
who is knowledgeable about the legislation, adding that changes must be
made to win sufficient support.

The industry is a major contributor to some congressional campaigns and
sources said opposition could stir up new trouble among senators such as
Republicans Jim Bunning and Mitch McConell of Kentucky or Democrat Harry
Reid of Nevada.

The bill would prohibit most forms of Internet gambling and make it
illegal for banks and credit card companies to make payments to online
gambling sites.

The Republican-backed measure has been criticized by some as an
election-year appeal to the party's conservative base.

Supporters of a crackdown on Internet gambling say legislation is needed
to clarify that a 1961 federal law banning interstate telephone betting
also covers an array of online gambling.

Backers of the legislation, led by Arizona Republican Sen. Jon Kyl, have
been trying to build support and resolve differences as the Senate focuses
on other legislative matters and gets ready for a month-long break.

However, congressional aides said some Republican senators have placed
holds on the bill, and that Democratic senators may eventually do so as
well depending on how talks proceed.

The bill was not among the priorities outlined by Senate Majority Leader
Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, during a session with reporters on
Tuesday in which he laid out measures he hopes to wrap up before the
August vacation.

Any member of the Senate may place a secret "hold" on legislation, which
prevents it from being brought up for a vote until concerns about the
measure are resolved.

One aide said concerns had been voiced by representatives of casinos as
well as horse-racing tracks, dog tracks and lotteries about limited
exemptions in the bill.

So far in 2006, the casino and gambling industry has given more than $6.4
million to federal candidates, according to the nonprofit Center for
Responsive Politics. That amount places it 30th among the more than 80
industries tracked by the organization.

"There is always a chance that differences can be resolved and the Senate
could vote before the August recess, but not a very good one at this
point," one aide said.

In order to win support, Kyl may have to amend the Senate bill and ask
House lawmakers to revisit a similar amended version, other sources said.

Supporters could take up the bill when the Senate reconvenes in September.
But it would be difficult to work out changes in time for members of
Congress to return to their districts to campaign before the November
elections.

[Jeremy]

This is all great news. And to be honest ever since I started promoting my first online casino many years ago, the talk has always been there of banning online gaming. Likewise other bills have been passed by other house members. But in the end we are all still playing and promoting online gaming.

Last night I was watching the Gerorge Bush interview on Neal Cavuto and a couple things stuck out. Number one he said that the reason America is so strong and our economy has continued to do well is because of the entreprenurial spirit in this country. Likewise he mentioned that because of our entreprenurial spirit we all have more money in our pockets.

My jaw almost dropped when he spoke about how American's are risk takers and how this is good. He said that American's have alot of money and that they should be allowed to take some risk with it. Now of course he was talking about the stock market and starting your own business, but nonetheless the principals are the same. In fact you can lose a hell of a lot more money in the markets than playing $5 SitnGo's, I'm living proof.

Also in respect to the bill and these "evil" offshore companies, although the money I make is coming from legitimate companies located in prosperous countries such as the U.K., this money is being brought into the U.S. Many people besides me indirectly benefit from my affiliate income. And indirectly the government will also get their cut of it in the form of sales tax.

That is my rant for the morning. Great news though, thanks for posting it CAZ.