This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah lawmakers hedged their bets Tuesday against Internet gambling, passing a bill designed to ensure it remains illegal in Utah even if Congress allows it in other states.
The Utah House voted 61-9 for HB108, by Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, and sent it to the Senate.
Sandstrom, who is running for the U.S. House, said Congress is considering a bill that would legalize Internet gambling — unless a state opts out within 60 days of its enactment. His bill would opt Utah out even before the bill passes Congress.
"Utah is unique, and one of the reasons we are unique is we do not have any forms of gambling that are legal," he said, noting it is banned by the state constitution. Only Hawaii also outlaws all forms of gambling, although Sandstrom said its Legislature is considering allowing some forms.
Sandstrom said it is especially important to ensure Utah continues banning all forms of gambling because if the state allows any, U.S. Supreme Court rulings have said that American Indian tribes could then also operate casinos here — which he said most Utahns would like to avoid.
House Minority Leader David Litvack, D-Salt Lake City, questioned whether the law is enforceable. Sandstrom said it is as enforceable as current law and would help prevent new Indian casinos.
Lee Davidson