Instead of driving 40 minutes to the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, the slots were just a click of the mouse away on her home computer. I don't have to leave home. I don't even have to get dressed. The trend has caught the attention of those who worry about a new generation of addicts and gambling's accessibility to minors. It also has caught the attention of lawmakers.
Federal law prohibits the use of the Internet for sports betting.
A bill that passed the Senate last year also would make it illegal to bet on casino-style games online. A companion bill is pending in the House and is the subject of a subcommittee hearing scheduled for March 9. But analysts say law enforcement agencies would have their hands full trying to implement a Prohibition-style ban. Thousands and thousands of people have personal computers in their home. The number of online casinos has mushroomed from 15 in 1996 to more than 700 today, according to industry research.