Goodlatte Opposition to Online Gambling Money Driven?

December 11, 2007

One online gambling politician who has been pushing for the demise of the industry seems to have another reason for doing so other than the so-called concern he has for the residents of the United States. It would seem that Congressman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia has taken almost $40,000 in campaign funds from the horse racing industry.

The horse racing industry stands to benefit the most from the online gambling ban, so it comes as no surprise that they would be trying to get various officials on their side. It would seem that the best way of doing that would be to have a few in your pocket come vote time.

Goodlatte is not alone in his acceptance of contributions from special interest groups, but with his passionate stance against online gambling, it would appear that there may be just a little more behind the scenes here. He has been extremely vocal in his condemnation of the industry, saying that all online gambling should be illegal, except of course for lotteries, fantasy sports and horse racing. That last one might come as a bit of a shock.

Now, with the ban on online gambling in place, or so it would seem, and politicians crying about the expansion of gambling and what it would do to their constituents, wouldn’t expansion of online gambling for horse racing seem a bit imprudent? Apparently not, as the horse racing industry is now looking to expand their online gambling unfettered by the other online casinos who might want a piece of their pie.

Again, how can Goodlatte say that online gambling is immoral and then support horse racing? He just appeared last month in front of the House Judiciary Committee to voice his problems with online gambling and to say that criminal prosecutions were in order for those that broke the UIGEA. It would seem that Goodlatte does not quite have his priorities in order.



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