2 Democratic Candidates Support Online Gambling Study in USA
by PokerPages.com Mon, Jan 21st, 2008 @ 12:00am

Before last Saturday's Democratic presidential caucus in Nevada, the Las Vegas Sun summarized the views of the three front-runners on six key issues, one issue being Internet Gambling, citing that both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama support studying whether online poker and online gambling can be safely regulated for US residents.

The Las Vegas Sun first summarized the status of internet gambling in the USA, saying:

"The federal government has long considered Internet gambling illegal, though many gambling advocates say the law against it [referring the 1961 Wire Act], designed to combat bookmaking activities by the mob in the 1960s, didn't envision the Internet and applies only to sports betting.
A few big companies like MGM Mirage and Harrah's Entertainment have supported efforts to legalize Internet gambling, but the concept lacks broad support.

The American Gaming Association has been reluctant to push for legalization, instead supporting a bill to study whether Internet gambling can be regulated. Some say this is a necessary first step so the enterprise can gain legitimacy. The association represents land-based casinos rather than the companies now operating Web casinos from offshore, locations far from the reach of U.S. regulators."

The article summary wrapped up by saying though "it may be years before Congress takes up the issue again" since the right to gamble has not been a pressing issue affecting voting patterns, that "some industry experts say legalization is inevitable because of the potential tax revenue now going offshore to a thriving underground economy."

The newspaper then gave the views of the top three candidates, as follows:

Clinton: Supports the industry's position: to study Internet gambling to see whether it can be fairly regulated so that individuals can safely participate in it and American businesses can compete in the international market.


Obama: Worries that the Internet is 'a Wild West of illegal activity'; supports a study of Internet gambling and supports regulation to address the worst abuses.


Edwards: Opposes legalization, doubting it can be controlled.

I'd actually like to see Clinton/Obama take the whole thing, and I'm not too particular as to which one being vp.

Not sure those two could get along. I can't see Hillary "settling" for VP. I actually liked Edwards before I found this stuff out. Not any more.

Ron Paul is the only candidate who believes it should be legal because it is our civil liberty to gamble. The other candidates only look at it from a government income standpoint. I tend to think Id rather keep things the way they are if legalization means uncle sam gets 20% of my winnings, unless of course I get a tax rebate on my losings:P

They can legalize it today and I'd still use my local. They will take a lot more than 20% of winnings. The man already got his hand real far down my pocket. He's not getting any more.