US senator Lindsey Graham has introduced a new piece of legislation that aims to reintroduce a ban on legalised online gaming in the country.

Republican Graham, who earlier this month formally announced his candidacy for President of the United States, has picked up support for the new legislation.

Senator Dianne Feinstein of California is the lead Democratic co-sponsor for the bill while senator and presidential candidate Marco Rubio is amongst a host of other co-sponsors for the bill.

If approved, the legislation would lead to the closure of online gaming activities in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware, the only states in the US to have legalised some form of internet gambling.

The legislation would carry out the goals of Sheldon Adelson, the casino mogul who has spoken at great length about his opposition to online gaming in the US.

Although Adelson is yet to comment on the bill, John Ashbrook, a spokesman for the Adelson-funded Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling, said the momentum behind the Graham-Feinstein bill is an "important part of the effort" to halt legalised online gaming in the country.

"Predatory online gambling is ruining lives all across our country and this bill will help us stop it," Ashbrook said.

However, the Coalition for Consumer and Online Protection, a pro-online gaming group funded by MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment, has hit out at the new bill.

Spokeswoman Kristen Hawn stated: "It is unfortunate that Sen. Graham and Sen. Rubio and several colleagues have chosen to carry Adelson's water in the US Senate."

Representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah in February put forward a House version of the bill, which has been the subject of a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing and is awaiting committee votes.

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