Baby Steps To Online Gambling In The U.S.?
Added: April 13, 2015
As you already know, the status of legalized online gambling in the United States has been a hit and miss affair for some years now. On one hand there are the strong proponents of online casinos and online gambling of most every form such as Governor Chris Cristie of New Jersey. On the other side of the table are the opponents of anything to do with the expansion of online gambling such as the land based casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.
Perhaps what is needed is a new approach, a fresh look at the whole issue. Then it might even possible to bring these opposing viewpoints to the same table to iron out some sort of plan that works for everyone. Luckily there is one forward thinking lawmaker who is willing to take the first step.
This legislator turns out to be Representative Joe Barton (R- Texas). According to Barton, he is about to introduce new legislation that could turn out to be the first legislation to address online gambling at the federal level. Note that Barton’s planned pro online gambling Bill will in fact be in direct opposition to a Bill just introduced by Jason Chaffetz of Utah. Chaffetz recently reintroduced his version of the infamous Restoration Of America’s Wire Act (RAWA), the bill in large part supported (funded?) by none other than Sheldon Adelson.
Now it should be noted that the Bill being prepared by Representative Barton can be seen as a sort of baby step approach to the federal legalization of online gambling. Here’s why: Barton’s Bill is only about one fact of online gambling, that of online poker.
According to Barton, this really should be a shoe in. He was quoted as saying” It’s being done in some states. It’s being done overseas. This is not a cross your fingers and hope it works kind of deal”. Well said, Mr. Barton.
To his credit, Representative Barton has essentially pointed out the reality of online gambling in the United States and around the world today. That is: it’s already being done, there are working models that can be emulated by all. Why not recognize what is already here?
Yet for all that Representative Barton has in his favor, don’t lose sight of the opposition and the all too real hurdles to the passing of Barton’s Bill. Keep in mind that those that want to pass the RAWA are funded by the billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.
Stay tuned as this two Bills show up and are battled over. The fate of online gambling may be decided this year. If Barton’s Bill does pass, it could pave the way for the full expansion of legalized gambling in the United States.