Anti-gambling bill introduced in Utah
Congressman Stephen Sandstrom looks to ensure Beehive State can opt out from any federal egaming regulation.
Utah Congressman Stephen Sandstrom has introduced a new bill aimed at blocking online gambling in the Beehive State even if federal legislation is passed.
The Republican politician has included a clause in HB108 which would allow the state to opt out if John Campbell’s HR1174 federal bill is passed into law.
Sandstrom said: “”We want to keep Utah free from the negative impacts of legalized gambling… Without courageous leadership to block Internet gaming, Utah could see Indian casinos popping up statewide in just a few years.”
Utah is currently one of two states which prohibits all forms of gambling, although the other – Hawaii – recently saw a new pro-egaming bill introduced with the backing of Representatives Faye P. Hanohano, Agnus McKelvey and Joesph Souike.
Hawaiian lawmakers had introduced a bill last March, although it was essentially killed before it even got off the ground after failing to receive a hearing before the April deadline.
The new Hawaii bill is believed to have been introduced as a response to December’s clarification of the Wire Act by the US Department of Justice, with the clarification already having seen the likelihood of legislation in New Jersey and Connecticut increase.