Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

"....the way in which some members of the Senate have decided to move [anti-online gambling measures] through reeks of political gamesmanship. The issue of Internet gambling has not been given a hearing in the Senate, it has not been debated, in fact, there isn't even a bill introduced." Following the failure of Senator Bill Frist's attempt to attach an anti-online gambling ban to an unrelated Defence Bill last week, the 110 000 Poker Players' Alliance leader Michael Bolcerek has launched a strong attack on politicians who seek to push repressive legislation through Congress at any cost. Indicating that his organisation was strongly opposed to the manner in which Frist sought to fast-track his measure, Bolcerek said: "The prohibition bill is tremendously bad public policy, and the way in which some members of the Senate have decided to move it through reeks of political gamesmanship. "The issue of Internet gambling has not been given a hearing in the Senate, it has not been debated, in fact, there isn't even a bill introduced. This effort to attach this very controversial and non-germane issue to vital DoD authorization legislation is a disservice to the American public and the men and women in our Armed Forces. "Prohibitions don't work and the American people know this. That is why a vast majority oppose a ban on online poker. The game of poker is mainstream and enjoyed by millions of Americans. It is 2006, not 1920, the Internet is a part of our daily lives. Let's practice good government that actually protects the family and establish strict regulations and safeguards for on- line poker."

Frist aides have indicated to the press that the Department of Defence rejection will not deter the Senator and colleagues such as Senator Jon Kyl from attempting to find other non-germane legislation to which their anti-gambling proposals can be attached in a bid to drive a law through below this years legislative season ends around October-November.

News service reports indicate that anti-online gambling supporters are trying to forge a compromise that would allow them to push through legislation banning most forms of Internet gambling, aides said late last week.

Top House and Senate lawmakers have been trying to break a logjam that has stalled the Internet gambling legislation by attaching it to any one of a number of must-pass spending bills before the end of the year, aides said. However, they have yet to agree on a final deal.

According to two sources familiar with the matter, one possible compromise would focus on a version of a bill already passed by the House, with some provisions opposed by the U.S. horse racing industry removed. 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.

Lawmakers are scheduled to recess at the end of next week so they can campaign for the November elections. They are expected to return afterward to wrap up unfinished business.