Utah considering anti-gambling legislation

Stephen Sandstrom presented his House Bill 108 to representatives in the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City this week and revealed that the measure would, if passed by both houses of the legislature and subsequently signed into law by Republican Governor Gary Herbert, prevent residents of the Beehive State from gambling on the Internet using a computer or handheld device.

Sandstrom declared that his proposed legislation would also block the possibility of aboriginal casinos opening in Utah and comes as a direct response to federal measures currently being considered in Congress that would legalise online gambling in states that do not choose to proactively opt out.

“We want to keep Utah free from the negative impacts of legalised gambling,” said the Republican representing the area encompassing the city of Orem. “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 legalising gaming leaving Utah to fight the principled fight against legalised gambling on its own,” he added.