While gaming interests in Australia assemble the necessary weaponry for doing battle with the federal government over this moratorium thing, one has to wonder what kind of effect, if any, the development will have on policy making in the U.S. According to a spokesperson for Rep. Bob Goodlatte, the sponsor of the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act, it certainly can't hurt his cause.
Michelle Semones, Goodlatte's press secretary, told IGN that the Virginia representative is pleased to see the federal government in Australia clamp down on Internet gambling and that the moratorium bill could serve as a momentum builder for similar efforts in the States.
"We feel this gives us impetus to pass legislation," Semones said, "and the fact that others are recognizing the serious problems of Internet gambling and intend to regulate it just proves what we've been saying."
Semones also admitted that there's not a lot of hope for the prohibition bill in 2000, citing that major spending bills are bigger priorities for Congress right now. She pointed out, however, that Goodlatte would look into re-introducing the bill early next year.