According to Market Watch, Utah Rep. Stephen Sandstrom has introduced H.B. 108 Internet Gambling, which is intended to prevent online gaming in the state if and when the U.S. Congress legalizes online gaming.
"We want to keep Utah free from the negative impacts of legalized gambling," said Sandstrom, a lifelong resident of Utah who is known as a staunch Reagan conservative. "Without courageous leadership to block Internet gaming, Utah could see Indian casinos popping up statewide in just a few years."
The bill would prevent Internet gambling, as well as gambling on handheld devices. In addition, it would prohibit Indian casinos from entering the Utah market. The introduction of the bill was made in response to another bill introduced by the state of Utah, H.R. 1174. This bill is being reviewed by the U.S. Congress and allows states to legalize online gaming unless they choose to opt out, which is what Sandstrom is trying to do.
"Utah is only one of two states that prohibit any form of gambling, Hawaii being the other,” Sandstrom said. “Unfortunately, this could change soon because Hawaii is currently considering legalizing gaming, leaving Utah to fight the principled fight against legalized gambling on its own."
*Picture courtesy of heraldextra.com.
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