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California Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein stunned many folks when it was revealed she would be backing legislation introduced Wednesday to prohibit online gambling.
South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Representative Jason Chaffetz, a Republican from Utah, introduced the Internet Gambling Control Act of 2014 Wednesday morning. It is a measure that would prohibit all forms of Web gambling in the US – except of course fantasy sports and horse racing - at the federal level while enforcing state governments to cease offering the activity as well. This includes states like Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware that have already legalized Web gambling within their own borders.
Feinstein’s support has some scratching their heads as her state is looking to become the next to legalize online poker.
Graham's only other support in the Senate comes from Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) while Chaffetz has found only nine supporters on the House side, two of whom are Democrats from states that do not offer any form of gambling or state lotteries (Hawaii and Utah).
The anti-online gambling bill is being pushed by GOP mega donor and casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who has asserted he will “spend whatever it takes” to stop online gambling from becoming legal in the US.
Garnering support from the majority of Democrats may be tough with one of the GOP’s biggest financial supporters seemingly pulling the strings.
"Seeing Sen. Dianne Feinstein support on the bill is interesting given the clear desire for her state to move forward on regulating Internet poker, which this bill would deny them the ability to do," said John Pappas of the Poker Players Alliance. "Also, this bill is doing the bidding of one of the most prominent Republican fundraisers in history. As a very established Democrat, she seems to be aiding his cause."
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
