New Internet Casino Bill Enjoys Bipartisan Support
Barney Frank introduced his anticipated bill regulating Internet casinos and online gambling today, and, significantly, Republican Peter King is given credit as co-author. The placing of King's name on the bill, along with the praise of other Republican leaders like Ron Paul and Alphonse D'Amato, show a strengthening bipartisan movement to license online gambling sites.
Spencer Bachus, a Republican Representative from Alabama, still remains one of the hardened critics of Internet gambling,but his screed is being rejected by more Republicans as facts become clearer.
"In fact, studies have shown that the earlier one begins gambling, the more likely it is he or she will become a compulsive problem gambler," offered Bachus. But gaming experts say studies so exactly the reverse, that compulsive gambling is more likely to occur when initial exposure to gambling happens at a later age.
"The notion that a society should prohibit something entirely because of the possibility that children will abuse it is a terrible blow to liberty," Frank replied.
D'Amato, a leader of the Poker Players Alliance, issued a press release saying he is "grateful for Chairman Frank's leadership and will be activating our grassroots army made up of over one million members to help him drive legislation."
