Internet gambling bill fizzles in Senate

Some good news:

Two powerful Senators have objected to Senator Majority Leader Bill Frist’s attempts at attaching an internet gambling ban to a defense bill last week, according to published reports.

Despite the setback, advocates said GOP leaders will keep trying to add an online wagering prohibition to must-pass legislation until Congress adjourns this year.

Frist approached Sen. John Warner, R-Va., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and asked him to add an Internet gambling ban to a defense authorization bill, according to congressional staffers who requested anonymity.

But after checking with Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, the ranking Democrat on the committee, Warner rejected the idea because an online wagering ban would not be relevant to defense legislation.

Gambling911.com last week reported on how Frist’s attempts at attaching the provision to an “unrelated” defense authorization bill would likely result in political suicide for him and any of his fellow Senators who supported such an action.

Attempts to ban online gambling were brought further into the spotlight Sunday night with the re-airing of 60 Minutes interview with Sportingbet’s Nigel Payne and updated information concerning BetonSports former CEO David Carruthers arrest and indictment by US authorities.

A source close to Frist confirmed the majority leader made the proposal to Warner, but declined to elaborate.

After hearing of Frist’s proposal, Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., sent Warner a letter urging him to reject any amendment that would ban online betting.

“We must not use this important (defense) bill as a convenient vehicle for political pet issues such as a ban on Internet gaming,” Berkley said.

Berkley opposed an Internet gambling ban that passed the House 317-93 in July.

Casinos in Nevada widely oppose any legislation that would ban online gambling as this would prevent the major players from one day entering the arena.

Although the Department of Justice has said Internet gambling is illegal, the $12 billion industry continues to grow, with more than 2,300 Web sites.

Frist, who has been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate in 2008, criticized online wagering during an August visit to Iowa.

While in Iowa, Frist joined Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa, one of the two main sponsors of the ban that passed the House, in conducting an informal field hearing critical of Internet gambling.

On Sept. 5, the day Congress returned from its August recess, Frist made a speech on the Senate floor and listed an Internet gambling ban as one of his priorities as Congress rushes toward adjournment. Frist’s second term expires this year, and he is not running for re-election.

Frist has angered many gamblers, who are estimated to make up more than 10% of the United States population. The Poker Players Alliance, which now encompasses a few hundred thousand members, orchestrated a successful “phone march on Capital Hill” last week that resulted in hundreds of calls to some state Senators asking that they not support internet gambling prohibition.

Bill Frist is listed with odds of 30 to 1 of becoming the next United States President at Sportsbook.com (Click here to Visit)

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Christopher Costigan, http://www.gambling911.com

Originally published September 19, 2006 7:22 pm ET