The New York Time has quoted a source close to discussions regarding the legalization and regulation of online gambling in the United States, that the country could very well see new legislation before the end of this year.
The unnamed source is quoted as saying: “I think there is becoming a feeling in Congress that this is something that needs to be regulated and be done. I believe there is a possibility a bill will pass towards the end of the year.”
The article said that momentum for change is visible from at least three different directions.
1. Seemingly concerned that individual states will start introducing gambling laws that are way too liberal for the country as a whole, Republic Jon Kyl and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are stepping up their efforts to ask the Justice Department to stop state efforts to legalize gambling. Their belief is that if states get their proposed legislation passed, they could disrupt federal laws that are in the pipeline.
2. A number of ‘big fish’ in the Republican camp are leaning their support on changes to gambling laws on a federal level. The CEO of Las Vegas Sands, Sheldon Adelson, for example, is a large Republican donor who wants to see changes, and at the same time benefit from an industry moving forward.
3. Another important political ally is House Speaker John Boehner. His long-time aide, Lee Askew recently became VP of Government Affairs for the American Gaming Association.
However, not everybody agrees that online gambling is the answer. The Executive Director of Stop Predatory Gambling, Les Bernal said: “This is a government policy that shrinks the middle class and pushes people in deeper debt at a time the government should be encouraging people to save more money.”
In response to Bernal: What we say is the government shouldn’t be telling us what to do, it’s our lives and we should do as we feel free as long as it doesn’t harm others!
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