March 31, 1999
Ban on Internet gambling possible
___WASHINGTON (BP)--A congressional effort to ban gambling on the Internet debuted March 23 with even greater support than last year.
___In a hearing before a Se-nate subcommittee, the Major League Baseball Players As-sociation announced it no longer objected to the Inter-net Gambling Prohibition Act. A spokesperson for the baseball players said she is confident the National Foot-ball League Players Associ-ation and the National Hoc-key League Players Associa-tion also will drop objections.
___The baseball players association chose to support the legislation because in its latest version the bill clarifies it does not outlaw fantasy sports leagues that are legal in some states and it does not penalize individual gamblers, said Marianne McGettigan of the Major League Baseball Players Association.
___The proposal to ban Internet gambling would update a 1961 law that prohibited the use of telephone facilities to receive bets or send gambling information. The bill covers sports gambling and casino games. A business that offers gambling on the Internet could be fined the amount received in bets or $20,000, whichever is greater. A prison term of up to four years also would be possible.
___Under the bill, an Internet website found in violation will have its service cut off. If an Internet service provider is unable to cut off service to the site, it will not be liable, said Sen. Jon Kyl, R.-Ariz., the bill's author. Kyl also is chairman of the Judiciary subcommittee that held the hearing.
___Kyl said he hopes the Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism and Government Information will act on the bill in April.
___Last year, a similar bill by Kyl passed the Senate by a 90-10 vote. A House of Representatives subcommittee approved it, but the full Judiciary Committee never acted on the legislation.
___Among those testifying in support of the bill were representatives of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Football League and the National Association of Attorneys General.
___Sports gambling, though it is banned in 47 states, "remains a growing problem on college campuses," said Bill Saum, the NCAA's director of agent and gambling activities. "If left unchecked, the growth of Internet gambling may be fueled further by college students. After all, who else has greater access to the Internet? Many college students have unlimited use of the Internet, and most residence halls are wired for Internet access.Frontpage / Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!