A major step was taken on Monday in getting online gaming legalized in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Bill No. 24-0046, a bill that would bring Internet gambling to the territory, was moved from the Rules Committee to the full Senate where it is expected to pass with ease now that amendments addressing concerns of various senators have been made.
The bill had cleared the committee, but was sent back after numerous amendments were added. The amendments were made after the solicitor general and the Casino Control Commission raised concerns. Senators were warned that the old bill was missing language to allow for the proper regulation of the industry. Questions were also raised about whether the government should award a master franchise to VI Technologies Initiative without a bidding process.
The amended bill, sponsored by Sens. Vargrave Richards and Almando Liburd, added wording giving the commission the proper regulatory muscle and will award half of the franchises to St. Croix Internet Gaming Group LLP.
According to the St. Thomas Source, the updated bill also includes provisions to earmark the industry's proceeds toward wiring public schools to the Internet and creating a technology training school.
The updated bill now goes to the full Senate where it will face hearings through Thursday. A final vote before the full Senate could come as early as Thursday, but isn't expected until next week.
One hang-up to the bill could be the U.S. federal government's position on Internet gambling.
Although Nevada recently passed a bill allowing Internet casinos to be licensed there, the U.S. Congress and the Department of Justice have yet to rule on whether Internet gaming violates the federal Wire Act of 1961.
Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen abstained from the vote. Hansen said she needed assurance that children would have no access to gambling.
All the other committee members, except for Adelbert M. Bryan, who was not in attendance, voted in favor of moving the U.S.V.I. Technology Initiative out of committee.