Editorial: Online wagering opposed — for now

Wednesday, July 19, 2000 | 9:40 a.m.

A bid to ban Internet gambling failed this week in the House. An eclectic coalition wanted to outlaw online casinos, a diverse mix that included bricks-and-mortar casinos and even the Christian Coalition, which traditionally is at odds with the gaming industry. Publicly the gaming industry sounded its displeasure about the outcome. Still, if casinos believe the political winds are shifting the other way, don't be surprised if their opposition to Internet gambling is short-lived.

After all, at one time casinos opposed the expansion of gambling outside Nevada -- but that was before they discovered money could be made elsewhere. More recently casinos fought Las Vegas-style gambling on Indian reservations in California -- until they realized they could hook up with these tribes and make even more profits. So expect the casinos in time to become Internet wagering converts, setting up their own gambling websites to capitalize on this new technology.

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