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INTERNET BETTING BOOST FROM WASHINGTON
Can it be confined to horse racing?
State legislators in Washington have apparently given their blessing to betting over the internet, which could set an important precedent if not made the subject of those notorious "exceptions".
Online and telephone wagering could be open to its citizens after legislators approved a new bill last week proposing that residents should be allowed to bet on horse racing through state approved Internet sites.
The concern appears to be that Washington is losing valuable tax revenue to offshore sites which they cannot control, leading to the vote in the Washington House of Representatives of 79-17 in favour of the Bill. The proposal was actually a "tweaked" Senate Bill 6481 which had earlier passed 38 - 10 in that body. It now goes to the Senate where it is expected to be approved, and from there to Governor Gary Locke.
Under the new proposals, bettors will be able to open accounts which they can access over the Internet or telephone. Bets can then be placed without having to be at the track or physically present at one of the existing state approved betting facilities.
Emerald Downs, Washington’s best-known racetrack, welcomed the move, claiming that significant revenue had been lost in recent years to illegal betting operations.
Antigambling lawmakers argued strongly against the bill, saying it amounts to a massive expansion of legalized betting in Washington that will increase problems associated with gambling addicts.
But Rep. Jeff Morris summed up the view of many legislators when he said he supported the bill because he felt trying to prohibit I-gaming wasn't a viable option.
"You can't really stop the Internet," he said. "It doesn't have borders."