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Lawmaker's Internet Gambling Motives Questioned

WASHINGTON, DC – As reported by the Associated Press: “Rep. Chris Cannon calls gambling a "pernicious vice" that should be outlawed. But the Utah Republican repeatedly has fought to derail a bill that seeks to clamp down on illegal Internet gambling.

“Cannon says he tried to stop a bad bill that could legalize online wagering in his state -- one of two that prohibits all forms of gambling.

“Supporters of the legislation, which passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate, believe he may have other motives.

“…Cannon has received $33,850 in political contributions since 2001 from Indian tribes with casinos, lobbyists for the online gambling industry and other opponents of the legislation, according to an analysis of his campaign finance disclosures.

“Tom Grey, executive director of the National Coalition Against Gambling Expansion, said it is impossible to know if Cannon's opposition to the Internet gambling bill was affected by the contributions, but `it certainly does not look real good.’

“…Critics also note that Cannon's former chief of staff, David Safavian, was a lobbyist whose clients included the Interactive Gaming Council, the National Indian Gaming Association and gaming tribes.

“…`The fact is my position about gambling has been very, very clear since I entered politics,’ he said. `I oppose gambling. I think it's a pernicious vice. I'd like to eliminate it. We can't eliminate it in today's legal environment, so I want to do the next best thing which is regulate it,’ said Cannon, who is co-sponsoring a bill to create a panel to study regulating Internet gambling.

“Cannon said the contributions are in no way tied to the gambling issue and he does not take money from the industry…”

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