Internet gaming ban reconsidered

Benjamin Grove

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2000 | 11:21 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- A bill that would ban Internet gambling is still alive in Congress, even after it was defeated in the House this summer.

The bill's primary sponsor, Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., is working out a deal with House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier, R-Calif., for another House vote. The Senate passed the bill in November.

The House voted on the Internet gambling bill in July, but the measure died because the 245-159 vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed under a House voting rule. Goodlatte wants another floor vote that would require only a simple majority.

"We anticipate that this will happen soon because we are running out of time," Goodlatte spokeswoman Michelle Semones said.

Congress is trying to wrap up its work for the year and may adjourn as early as next week.

Goodlatte needs Dreier's help because as Rules Committee chairman Dreier has the most influence on the rules that apply to the House vote. But Dreier has serious concerns about the bill: He thinks the legislation unfairly saddles Internet service providers with the responsibility of policing cyber-casino operators worldwide.

Goodlatte is working on the legislation's wording to ease Dreier's fears, staffers for both lawmakers said.

"We're very close to a compromise," Semones said.

Nevada's delegation supports the Internet gambling ban. Nevada's casino industry leaders publicly say they do, too. But some observers, including Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., have speculated that "brick and mortar" casinos may seek to join the Internet casino operators if cyber-gambling remains legal. Bryan has helped lead the effort for bill in the Senate.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., has been an outspoken supporter of the bill and is watching closely to see if Goodlatte and Dreier bring the legislation back to life, spokesman Michael O'Donovan said.

So is Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., who has been talking to Goodlatte and Dreier to push for the legislation, Gibbons' chief of staff Michael Dayton said. Dreier, who voted against the bill in July, is worried about the government regulating Internet use, Dayton said. Still, Gibbons is "cautiously optimistic" the bill will pass before the session ends.

"We have a very small window of opportunity to pass this legislation," Dayton said. "The window of opportunity is about to close. We believe it is critical we do it this session."