“….the way in which some members of the Senate have decided to move[anti-online gambling measures] through reeks of political gamesmanship. The
issue of Internet gambling has not been given a hearing in the Senate, it
has not been debated, in fact, there isn’t even a bill introduced.”
Following the failure of Senator Bill Frist’s attempt to attach an
anti-online gambling ban to an unrelated Defence Bill last week, the 110 000
Poker Players’ Alliance leader Michael Bolcerek has launched a strong attack
on politicians who seek to push repressive legislation through Congress at
any cost. Indicating that his organisation was strongly opposed to the
manner in which Frist sought to fast-track his measure, Bolcerek said: “The
prohibition bill is tremendously bad public policy, and the way in which
some members of the Senate have decided to move it through reeks of
political gamesmanship. “The issue of Internet gambling has not been given
a hearing in the Senate, it has not been debated, in fact, there isn’t even
a bill introduced. This effort to attach this very controversial and
non-germane issue to vital DoD authorization legislation is a disservice to
the American public and the men and women in our Armed Forces. “Prohibitions
don’t work and the American people know this. That is why a vast majority
oppose a ban on online poker. The game of poker is mainstream and enjoyed by
millions of Americans. It is 2006, not 1920, the Internet is a part of our
daily lives. Let’s practice good government that actually protects the
family and establish strict regulations and safeguards for on- line poker.”

Frist aides have indicated to the press that the Department of Defence
rejection will not deter the Senator and colleagues such as Senator Jon Kyl
from attempting to find other non-germane legislation to which their
anti-gambling proposals can be attached in a bid to drive a law through
below this years legislative season ends around October-November.

News service reports indicate that anti-online gambling supporters are
trying to forge a compromise that would allow them to push through
legislation banning most forms of Internet gambling, aides said late last
week.

Top House and Senate lawmakers have been trying to break a logjam that has
stalled the Internet gambling legislation by attaching it to any one of a
number of must-pass spending bills before the end of the year, aides said.
However, they have yet to agree on a final deal.

According to two sources familiar with the matter, one possible compromise
would focus on a version of a bill already passed by the House, with some
provisions opposed by the U.S. horse racing industry removed. The bill would
prohibit most forms of Internet gambling and make it illegal for banks and
credit card companies to make payments to online gambling sites.

Lawmakers are scheduled to recess at the end of next week so they can
campaign for the November elections. They are expected to return afterward
to wrap up unfinished business.