Could Lobbyist Scandal Motivate Online Gambling Ban?
COULD LOBBYIST SCANDAL MOTIVATE ONLINE GAMBLING BAN?
Republican lawmakers could make a more determined attempt to ban online gambling following lobbying scandal
Speculation that the recent Abramoff and Tom DeLay lobbyist scandals in Washington could result in a more determined attempt this year to crush online casino gambling was presented this week in an interesting article in IGN.
The article theorises that because US lobbyist and politician Jack Abramoff and Tom DeLay may have manipulated voting and other factors surrounding the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act in 2000, Republican lawmakers could seek to distance themselves from political scandal by again launching an online gambling prohibition bill in 2006.
The legitimacy of events surrounding voting on the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act of 2000 first came under suspicion in October 2005 when the Washington Post reported that an aide of Rep. Tom DeLay helped defeat the bill after receiving favors from Jack Abramoff.
DeLay, who until recently was House Majority Leader, is now under indictment for criminal conspiracy while Abramoff, a Republican lobbyist and fundraiser, has already pleaded guilty to several political crimes and faces more charges.
One of several contenders for DeLay's vacated position as Leader of the House, Rep. John Shadegg has on several occasions mentioned his five-point plan for reforms he would pursue if voted into the position, and among those five priorities is obtaining another vote on legislation to prohibit online gambling.
Last week Shedegg wrote in a Congressional newspaper "In 2000, a ban on Internet gambling received 245 votes on the suspension calendar, but, according to news accounts, we were kept from passing it because of Jack Abramoff’s machinations and manipulation. Passing it now would be good public policy and a clear signal that the era of Abramoff's influence is over."
At the moment Shadegg, who has confirmed support from only about ten House Rebublicans, seems to be the long-shot candidate for the House Majority Leader election that will take place on February 2. The best odds are on Rep. Roy Blunt, who has secured 91 votes, followed by Rep. John Boehner with 47 votes. A candidate needs 117 votes to win the election.
Even though Shadegg has only an extremely thin chance of winning, the I-gaming industry is not completely safe from prohibition becoming a serious part of the Republican agenda in 2006. There is always the possibility that Shadegg could withdraw from the race and throw his support behind one of the other candidates in exchange for their vowing to concentrate some effort on his five-point platform. Also, the other two candidates are also pledging to make reforms a crucial part of their agendas.
Rep. Jim Leach, who has authored prohibitory I-gaming legislation during the last five Congressional sessions, says the bill he introduced in November 2005 has been gaining momentum as the Abramoff scandal has gained more attention.
"We expect this to move sometime this year," stated a Leach spokesperson to news publication American Banker last week. Leach's bill has already attracted 23 co-sponsors, including Rep. Spencer Bacchus, who chairs the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over financial institutions and has been a vigorous supporter of I-gaming prohibition in the past.
Other lobbying groups played a significant role in blocking the 2000 bill. Concerned groups such as the National Indian Gaming Association, various state lotteries, Internet service providers and the Interactive Gaming Council all concentrated lobbying efforts on defeating the bill.
Meanwhile, Sen. Jon Kyl is believed to be ready to introduce an identical prohibitory bill in the Senate soon. Doing so would eliminate the hurdle of merging two competing versions of the bill at a later date.
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Enjoying retirement.
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