Kyl bill ready for final Senate action

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Friday, June 18, 1999 | 11:25 a.m.

The Internet Gaming Prohibition Act, a bill that would prohibit people from making wagers over the Internet, was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday.

The proposal cleared the committee in a 16-1 vote and will next go to the full Senate. No timetable has been set for that vote.

The legislation, proposed by Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and backed by Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., would prohibit the same types of gambling activities banned by the 1991 Wire Act. That covers transactions over wires and phone lines, but not the Internet.

Critics say U.S. laws won't restrict the Internet. Several Internet gaming companies have set up operations in the Caribbean and in some states in Australia where the practice is legal.

Kyl's bill would not ban fantasy sports games or hotel-casinos advertising how-to or play-only sites on the Internet.

A House version of the bill has not been introduced. Last year, the Senate approved a similar version of Kyl's bill, but the measure died in the House.