But some proposals are subjected to months of hearings and amendments. Many of the proposed prohibitions use language so broad that they would outlaw existing legal gaming, for example by outlawing all uses of computers. Lobbyists for legal gambling operations like state lotteries and parimutuel racing have no choice but to ask legislatures to carve out exceptions for their clients. But, while federal governments have great power, states have almost always been the chief guardians of morality, including the control of gambling. States have what is known as Police Power, the right to protect citizen s health, safety and welfare.
Police power is a power virtually without limits.
But, federal governments sometimes forget that they only have the power given them by the states that created them. The result is constant tension and endless disputes over who has the final say. This would not be a problem if everyone agreed on the solution for any particular political problem. But, as the fight over Internet gambling shows, a state may want to do something that is completely opposite the wishes of its federal government. In Australia, the Commonwealth government imposed a moratorium on state Internet gambling licenses.