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Net Gambling Ban Gains in House

"…The House is expected to vote on the bill as early as next week.

"…The changes in the bill will simply state that if the racing industry practices are determined to be legal, racing interests will be able to accept wagers from bettors over "closed-loop, subscriber-based networks." If the courts side with the Justice Department's interpretation, such betting would be illegal — as would interstate telephone wagering.

"Depending on its scope, such an adverse ruling could have a devastating impact on the sport of horse racing, which has used simulcast wagering to stem a decades-long decline in live attendance.

"…Despite the deal, opponents of the bill and even some supporters say it remains unclear whether there are enough votes to approve it.

"Goodlatte's bill would make it a federal crime — punishable by up to four years in prison and fines of $20,000 or more — to operate a Web site that accepts wagers from Americans.

"The bill also would require law enforcement agencies to compile and regularly update a list of gambling Web sites that Internet service providers in the United States.

"…Goodlatte acknowledged that enforcement `will be a challenge.'

"…`They're going to have an increasing difficulty getting access to cash,' he said. `There has got to be an intermediary to wire that cash, and credit card companies and wire companies will be increasingly concerned about getting involved in activities that are banned."

"The Interactive Gaming Council, which represents Internet gambling operations and their suppliers, argues that Internet gambling would, in fact, be easier to regulate than brick-and-mortar casinos, since software records each transaction..."

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