Some lawmakers call for regulating, not banning, online gambling

A small bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging Congress to consider letting states regulate and tax Internet gambling, even as a larger group of determined colleagues begins another attempt to ban the burgeoning form of wagering.

Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., introduced legislation Wednesday that would pave the way to legalize Internet gambling in states interested in licensing, overseeing and collecting taxes from the growing industry.

"Just as outlawing alcohol did not work in the 1920s, current attempts to prohibit online gaming will not work, either," said Conyers, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee.

In a series of votes since 1998, large majorities in the House and Senate have voted to outlaw gambling over the Internet. But disputes over how to define illegal gambling, what forms of wagering to exempt from a ban, and how to enforce a ban, have prevented Congress from agreeing on any one bill to send to the White House.

Opponents of Internet gambling are resuming their effort in the 108th Congress. The House Financial Services Committee on Thursday will consider legislation proposed by Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa, that would prohibit the use of credit cards, checks and electronic fund transfers to pay for online betting transactions.