Committee puts hold on bill to ban online gambling in Utah

At the end of January, Utah state representative Stephen Sandstrom introduced a bill to ban internet gambling. The House Law Enforcement Committee recently decided to put the legislation on hold so they may thoroughly examine the financial implications of taking such actions, according to Utah's Daily Herald.

"There is a lot more at risk to the state than the potential cost," Sandstrom explained to the committee, the news source reports. "To me I think it really, quite frankly, doesn't matter 'cause it will cost the state tens of millions of dollars if they do not go with this."

Sandstrom's bill would require internet providers to block all websites that offer online blackjack and other gambling games. It would also prevent Indian casinos from opening in the state if a federal law is passed to allow online gambling, Deseret News explains. Sandstrom and supporters of his bill fear that Indian-run casinos and online gambling could take revenue away from the state.

Do you think enacting this ban would be beneficial to the state? Would it be a bad idea for Utah to try to ban online gambling?

Published on 14 February 2012