According to latest reports, the so-called Restoration of America's Wire Act might eventually be discussed by the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations on March 5.

The proposal was first introduced back in March 2014 by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina). The bill contained amendments which criminalized most variations of online gambling provided on the territory of the United States.

In early February, Rep. Chaffetz represented RAWA for consideration during this year's Congressional session. The text was posted online and, as it seems, it does not differ from that introduced last year.

Generally speaking, RAWA rewrites the Federal Wire Act of 1961, under which betting and wagering by means of wire communication is considered illegal. The bill that was introduced last year, however, intends to extend the Wire Act so as for online gambling to be banned no matter whether such activities have been legalized by state regulators or not.

This will have an immediate and adverse impact on the industry. For instance, at present, online gambling operations are legal in Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware. If the bill gets the necessary approval, the online gambling activities in these three states will be proclaimed illegal.

Online lottery sales will also be criminalized, in case RAWA passes. At present, residents of Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, etc. are able to purchase tickets online.

Activities like fantasy sports and horse racing betting, however, will be exempted from the bill and its provisions. This could be explained with the fact operations of this kind are not defined as betting or wagering under the US laws.

Many believe that RAWA is supported and even driven by casino owner Sheldon Adelson. Over the years, the businessman made it quite clear that he was not keen on legalizing online gambling. Reportedly, some of the first drafts of the bill, which was at first titled Internet Gambling Control Act, were compiled by a person who worked for Mr. Adelson.

Gambling experts believe that RAWA has a zero chance of passing. In the first place, any legislation that has to do with gambling is not particularly likely to make it to the Congress floor. Moreover, it seems that certain groups, powerful ones, are against the bill's approval. Casino and lottery managers are also going to oppose it, for sure.

With all that said, it appears that RAWA will by no means reach the Senate or President Obama. But even if it does pass through the Congress, the proposed legislation is not subject to a wide political interest and, as mentioned above, will most probably not be voted and subsequently, turned into law.

This is a reprint from casinonewsdaily.com. to view the original, click here.