[UncleJeff]

I think you're asking the wrong questions.

From where does Frist derive the authority to regulate commerce in other Countries??

Is this really a priority matter for the Country at this time??

Is this a proper way for Law to be made??

Is this the stupidest political move Frist ever made?? He just alienated several million voters Republicans badly need in a month, voters who really don't figure it's any of the Government's business if they want to play cards.

Never mind the minor point that the Supreme Court ruled several years ago that poker is a game of skill, not a game of chance...

[KDD]

10 April 2005 On Thursday, a World Trade Organization appellate body released its ruling regarding the legitimacy of U.S. offshore online gambling policies. The verdict related to an appeal filed by the U.S., after the WTO ruled in favor of Antigua and Barbuda in November of last year. The original WTO decision stated that U.S. restrictions against offshore online gambling ventures violated international trade agreements. Instead of clarifying its position on the issue, however, the WTO ruling was ambiguous enough to allow both the U.S. and Antigua to claim victory.

While the current ruling maintained most of the previous findings, the WTO appellate body recognized the U.S.'s concerns for social problems associated with gambling. Specifically, the WTO referred to the 1961 Wire Act, which prohibits sports betting over the internet, citing it as necessary to uphold "public morality" and "public order". Although the U.S. sees this recognition as essentially legitimizing its online gambling policies, the WTO also found U.S. policies to be discriminatory. Accordingly, the WTO posits that U.S. citizens are given easier access to domestic gambling venues than offshore online gambling options.

This Bill doesn't even mention the 1961 Wire Act because to do so would harm domestic online gambling operations such as horse racing and State Lotteries. So much for Free Trade. This Bill is just one big protection racket for special interests.