Monday, March 19, 2007

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Lawmakers call for online gambling study

By Sarah Polson

Two U.S. representatives from Nevada are planning to seek a National Academy of Sciences study of online wagering, according to the Las Vegas Sun. Shelley Berkley, democrat, and Jon Porter, republican, intend to co-sponsor the legislation within weeks.

The two Nevada representatives are also hoping to enlist Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) for the legislation.

Frank recently made comments to the press that he is working on legislation to repeal the online gambling ban. He has been a long-time critic of gambling restrictions and would make a powerful ally.

Berkley told the Las Vegas Sun she had talked with Frank last week about Internet gambling on the House floor and plans to meet with him again about the subject.

The bill being proposed by Berkley and Porter will assign an 18-month Internet gambling study to the National Research Council, an agency of the National Academy of Sciences.

Berkley said the bill's purpose will be to provide a comprehensive study with detailed information on the expanded growth of Internet gambling.

The bill will be similar to the one Porter introduced last year that was overlooked as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act made its way through Congress.

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