Washington insiders are saying a realigned Capitol Hill is unlikely to take immediate action on the Amateur Sports Integrity Act.
The bill, a creation of Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., would outlaw betting on amateur sports, including college and Olympic events, in Nevada.
It narrowly escaped committee in the Senate, earning a tie 10-to-10 vote in the Commerce Committee and now rests on the Senate Legislative Calendar. But, it was likely to go nowhere with the Democratic Party in control of the Senate.
The party's one-seat edge disappeared last week as a result of the midterm elections. The GOP, which now holds a four-seat advantage in the Senate (and still controls the House), will naturally have less resistance in passing its agenda.
The McCain bill, however, still has plenty of opposition. Its biggest obstacle is the American Gaming Association, which is actively working against its passage.
McCain is likely to become chairman of the Commerce Committee in the Senate; he is the committee's ranking GOP member.
Still, it probably won't be smooth sailing in the Senate. McCain ruffled many feathers among the GOP leadership in Washington during his presidential campaign in 2000. Further, a Washington insider, who requested anonymity, told IGN the bill is far from being a major priority.
Even if the bill makes it out of the Senate, the source said, the chances of it getting passed in the House are slim to none.