LAS VEGAS, Nev. – If Congress makes no progress on a national framework for online gambling this session, it won’t be for a lack of legislation.
Two lawmakers introduced bills over the summer that would legalize some form of Internet gambling nationwide. And just last week, Rep. Jim McDermott, a Democrat from Washington, introduced a bill that would tax federally-sanctioned online wagering.
The bill could compel online operators to hand over up to 12 cents of every dollar players deposited. The federal government would take four cents. The state or tribe in which the gambler is playing could also opt to collect 8 cents on the dollar. McDermott introduced similar bills in 2010 and 2011, without success.
