Rep. Bob Goodlatte, a fervent opponent of online gambling, has been warned that, should his bill to ban Internet gambling surface again, Utah Rep Chris Cannon, also vehemently opposed to online gambling, plans to “vigorously oppose” the bill. It is feared that the bill, which was squelched in the Judiciary Committee sub-committee hearing, could open a “back door” to the legalization of online gambling in Utah, said Cannon and this is the reason that he opposes the bill. Apparently, Cannon is concerned that Goodlatte’s proposed legislation would give special treatment to horse racing, fantasy sports and the lottery: “While I am an ardent opponent of gambling, one of the things I don't want to see is an opportunity for gambling because we pre-empt state law." Cannon further added: "I don't want Utah to get bombarded with gambling if it becomes legal." Hawaii and Utah are the only two states that outlaw all forms of gambling. Rep Bob Goodlatte, the bill’s sponsor, argues that such accusations about the bill are groundless and that special treatment would not be provided to the horse racing industry. “I strongly disagree with anybody that says this legislation adds a carve-out for the horse racing industry," said Goodlatte. He also pointed out that there already is a federal law regulating horse racing that wouldn’t be affected by his legislation. Goodlatte noted that the scope of Internet gambling has quadrupled in the five years that various versions of the legislation have been debated. He further pointed out that, today, there are more than 2,300 gambling sites and $12 billion a year bet online. Cannon, who has repeatedly called gambling a “pernicious vice” and “abhorrent”, nonetheless opposes Goodlatte’s bill each time it has been offered. He has tried to amend the bill so that it no longer references horse racing but backers of the bill believe that to do so would cost the bill the support it needs to pass. The National Center Against Legalized Gambling also opposes the horseracing provisions. Posted on: April 24, 2006
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