State AGs support Internet gambling ban

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Attorneys general from 43 U.S. states have come out against legislation that would relax restrictions on Internet gambling.

In a letter to congressional leaders, the National Association of Attorneys General said it has "grave concerns" about a bill introduced by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., to repeal the 2006 ban on online gaming and appoint the Department of Treasury to regulate Internet wagering in the United States.

The attorneys general said the ban has driven many illegal gambling operators from the American marketplace, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Thursday.

"But now, less than a year later, (Frank's bill) proposes to do the opposite, by replacing state regulations with a federal licensing program that would permit Internet gambling companies to do business with U.S. customers," the Nov. 30 letter said.

Not all state attorneys general are opposed. Those in Nevada, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska and New York did not sign the letter, the newspaper reported.

Frank conceded that his bill, with 45 co-sponsors, remains stalled in the House and is unlikely to advance in 2008.

"We still don't have enough support. We're waiting to see if gamblers on the Internet are going to generate that support," Frank said.