Sen Graham, Rep Chaffetz push online gambling ban

Sen Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Rep Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) introduced legislation that would ban most forms of online gambling, ratcheting up a lobbying battle that pits casinos and state lotteries against GOP mega-donor Sheldon Adelson.

“To have gaming on every smartphone on the country, I just think it’s a bad idea," Rep Chaffetz said. Their bill would reverse a 2011 Department of Justice decision that opened the door for online gambling. That decision reinterpreted the Wire Act -- a federal statute that had prohibited Internet betting -- by limiting its reach to sports. The push to ban Internet gambling is being fueled in part by the advocacy of Adelson, who owns the Las Vegas Sands and opposes online gaming on the grounds that it would be harmful to children. Sen Graham, who is running for reelection this year, pushed back on the notion that he is getting involved in the online gambling fight to court Adelson, who has given millions of dollars to Republican candidates in recent years. “The fact that Sheldon is on board is a good thing, but I'm doing this because this is ... what I feel like I should do," Sen Graham said.