UTAH ANTI-ONLINE GAMBLING LEGISLATION LAUNCHED

02/01/2012 :  UTAH ANTI-ONLINE GAMBLING LEGISLATION LAUNCHED
 
Republican politician makes good on his promises
 
Threats made earlier this year to introduce legalization blocking any attempt to legalise online gambling in Utah  were made good by Republican Representative Stephen Sandstrom this week.
 
The politician launched his bill HB108 in the state House with the description: "….to prevent Internet gaming including gambling that could be conducted on handheld devices, which are not always necessarily connected to the Internet. This legalization would also block the possibility of Indian casinos coming to Utah. Through a specific opt-out provision, H.B. 108 is a direct response by the state of Utah to H.R. 1174, currently under review by the U.S. Congress that would legalize online gambling in the states unless individual states proactively opt out."
 
Sandstrom reiterated his belief that Utah should be kept free on internet and tribal gambling: "We want to keep Utah free from the negative impacts of legalized gambling," he said. "Without courageous leadership to block Internet gaming, Utah could see Indian casinos popping up statewide in just a few years.
 
"Utah is only one of two states that prohibit any form of gambling, Hawaii being the other. 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."
 
Representative Sandstrom has been described as a ‘classic Reagan conservative', and graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in political science. He advocates the promotion of state growth through lower taxes.