Utah Congressman Says Regulated Online Gambling Likely to Pass

A Representative from Utah says the Frank bill proposing regulated online gambling could advance and pass quickly as Congress nears the end of session.

Jason Chaffetz, a Republican Representative from Utah, says he thinks Congress will pass a bill to regulate online gambling soon. Chaffetz told the Deseret News that even though the current session of Congress is drawing to an end, Barney Frank's measure to license Internet casinos may still advance and be passed quickly, before opposition can organize.

Ironically, the path Chaffetz foresees for the movement of the online gambling bill into law is somewhat similar to that used to pass the UIGEA online casino ban, with one huge exception. The UIGEA was hidden inside a national security act imperative to pass, while Frank has said he will not seek to sneak his bill through, allowing it to stand alone.

"He assured me that come this fall, he would be getting these bills through his committee, and I believe him," said Chaffetz of a conversation with Frank concerning the Internet gambling bill.

Chaffetz is watching to make sure that Utah, one of two US states with no legal gambling, is not forced to allow tribal casinos under the terms of the Frank act. The bill specifically allows states to opt out for residents inside state borders, addressing Chaffetz's concern.

Chaffetz said the online gambling bill has better chances than in previous years, as Democrats control Congress and seek funding for massive spending bills like health-care.

"There aren't a whole lot of places to go grab that kind of money," said the Utah Representative, noting regulation of online casinos could produce $62 billion over 10 years.