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November 30, 2009

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Tennessee House panel approves legislation making online betting a crime

Thursday, April 27, 2000 | 12:25 p.m.

Rep. Mike Williams, D-Franklin, said 11 states have already passed similar legislation and it is needed in Tennessee as well.

"You don't need to go to Tunica (Miss.) to shoot craps. You can do it on the computer back in my office," said Williams, the House sponsor.

The bill would make gambling over the Internet a misdemeanor and operating an Internet gambling site a felony. It specifically excludes trading in stocks and commodities.

Committee Chairman Frank Buck, D-Dowelltown, worried the bill could have unintended consequences.

"We have governors who wager on football games, a case of Jack Daniels whiskey vs. something else. Is that going to be a crime?" Buck asked.

Williams said his target is bigger.

"Generally it is sports betting that they have targeted," Williams said. "However now there are off-shore Internet gambling sites with people from this country setting up corporations in Grenada and Aruba and other places."

The bill was approved on a voice vote and sent to the House Finance Committee.

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