The US House overwhelmingly passed new restrictions on Internet casino wagering Tuesday – however, a provision of the bill will make it legal for Utah residents to place bets on horse races or buy lottery tickets online, superseding a state ban on all forms of gambling.
The bill directs the Federal Trade Commission and federal banking regulators to draw up rules requiring credit card companies to block payment of electronic money transactions or personal checks for Internet gambling, something the banking industry desires since customers sometimes refuse to pay charges submitted by offshore cyber casinos.
A vote to remove a provision that permits electronic funds transfers with state-authorized gambling businesses (such as a lottery and horse racing or dog racing) failed, which supercedes State laws, said Utah Rep. Chris Cannon. 'From the perspective of our states this is not the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act, this is the Internet Gambling Enabling Act,' said the lawmaker who represents the state's 3rd District. 'It actually allows gaming in Utah.'
Other supporters claimed Cannon was mistaken. 'This doesn't open up Utah to new forms of gambling, it will tighten it up,' said Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., who added that Utahns are 'pulling up a chair' and placing bets online right now with illegal, casino-style Web sites based outside the United States.###
The bill directs the Federal Trade Commission and federal banking regulators to draw up rules requiring credit card companies to block payment of electronic money transactions or personal checks for Internet gambling, something the banking industry desires since customers sometimes refuse to pay charges submitted by offshore cyber casinos.
A vote to remove a provision that permits electronic funds transfers with state-authorized gambling businesses (such as a lottery and horse racing or dog racing) failed, which supercedes State laws, said Utah Rep. Chris Cannon. 'From the perspective of our states this is not the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act, this is the Internet Gambling Enabling Act,' said the lawmaker who represents the state's 3rd District. 'It actually allows gaming in Utah.'
Other supporters claimed Cannon was mistaken. 'This doesn't open up Utah to new forms of gambling, it will tighten it up,' said Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., who added that Utahns are 'pulling up a chair' and placing bets online right now with illegal, casino-style Web sites based outside the United States.###
