Social Conservative Wing of GOP Insists On Internet Gambling Language For Platform

The Republicans have had a change of heart overnight that puts a dent in the jubilation of the online poker community. After first succumbing to the PPA, and suggesting a shift in stance on online poker, Republicans once again decided to stick to their guns on the issue.

Early in the day on Tuesday, the Republican Party was set to eliminate anti-online gaming language from their platform, a move that would have helped them with mainstream voters. It turns out the move may have just been a ploy to give the impression they were loosening their stance.

Later in the day, the conservatives in the Party had their say, and their stance remained clear. They do not want regulated online gambling to be legal in the United States of America.

"Millions of Americans suffer from problem or pathological gambling that can destroy families. We support legislation prohibiting gambling over the Internet or in student athletics by student athletes who are participating in competitive sports," reads the words in the platform.

Republicans have made no secret of their distaste for Internet gambling regulations over the past several years. There have been Bills proposed that could have cleared up the fuzzy UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act), but all of which were voted down by Republicans.

With the online gaming community gaining support around the country, the Republicans seemed to have come around to the idea that backing Internet prohibition could damage the Party in the upcoming election.

In the end, however, the platform will be written as it has in the past two elections of 2000 and 2004, with the anti-Internet gambling language included.

August 27, 2008
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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