House Expected to Approve Online Gambling Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – As reported by Reuters: "The U.S. House on Tuesday was expected to approve a Republican-written bill to crack down on Internet gambling, in what critics said was an election-year appeal to the party's conservative base.

"The bill aimed to ban most forms of Internet gambling, which generates some $12 billion annually worldwide. It is part of the Republican party's emphasis on moral values as congressional elections approach this fall.

"…Opponents, meanwhile, criticized the bill as a politically motivated bid to stir up social conservatives and boost Republican prospects in the November elections.

"'It's politics, plain and simple,' said Michael Bolcerek, president of the 30,000-member Poker Players Alliance, which is willing to support some regulation of online poker games but opposes an outright ban.

"…The House bill, sponsored by [Rep. Bob] Goodlatte and Iowa Republican Jim Leach, would make it illegal for banks and credit card companies to make payments to online gambling sites…"