America Sends a Message to the Senate

CNBC has released the results of a poll conducted last week that should send a strong message to the US Senate as it considers the Goodlatte bill, which aims to all but illegalize online gambling.

The CNBC poll asked this question:

Should all online gambling be legalized in the United States?

A large sample size of responses (2,532 votes) showed a very conclusive result:

• Yes - 91 percent


• No - 9 percent

The CNBC poll is the latest in a series of polls that have sent a strong message to legislators that the American public wants the online casino industry regulated instead of prohibited. The Wall Street Journal conducted a poll earlier this year with similar results.

All the polls seem to indicate that America has no appetite for prohibition and even less appetite for what seems to be nothing more than a moral crusade by some media-hungry legislators.

The voice of reason in all this appears to be that of Rep. Jon Porter. Congressman Porter has proposed an initiative to carry out a bi-partisan Congressional investigation into online gambling before trying to ban it. The Internet Gambling Study Commission will conduct a comprehensive study of Internet gambling, including the existing legal framework that governs activities and transactions. Within 18 months, the Commission will submit a report on their findings and conclusions to the President and Congress, including recommendations, if any, for legislative or administrative action.

Before voted against H.R. 4411 (the Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act), Porter had this to say: "The impact of Internet gambling reaches far and wide, which is why we need to have a comprehensive understanding of its effects, both socially and economically, before making any rash decisions about its future. "Unfortunately, a majority of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle chose to move forward with an online gaming ban despite having limited information on this evolving technology. Regardless of today's vote, I will continue to drum up support for an Internet gaming study."

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