“The fact more than 200 tribal leaders, lawyers, lobbyists and vendors gathered Aug. 22 at Mystic Lakes, Minn., to discuss Internet gambling speaks volumes about the growing interest in the issue. But there remains a great deal of uncertainty and divisiveness on the Internet and concerns about draft legislation put out last month by Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs.
There also is skepticism that enacting legislation will make it through the Senate and House in the upcoming lame duck session, with lobbyists giving passage of an Internet bill a “less than 20” percent to 50 percent chance.
A stand-along gambling bill would not be successful, political consultants say, and much depends on what legislation an Internet bill is tied to.
