[World News]: BISMARCK, N.D.
North Dakota lawmakers hope to cash in on online poker, with a law welcoming companies hosting the online games.
The state House voted 49-43 for the measure Wednesday after citing its potential for economic development, jobs and unique opportunities, the Fargo Forum newspaper reported. One lawmaker said the measure would allow the state to regulate the industry and collect taxes and fees for its general fund.
If the state's senate also approves the measure, North Dakota will become the first state in the country to permit this kind of gambling.
Republican Jim Kasper, the prime sponsor of the bill, said the state would derive tremendous revenue from licensing and regulating the industry.
"This industry is growing at about 10 percent per month. No single state has passed legislation like this. We would be the first to do that," he said.
It is estimated that if the state licenses 200 poker sites, it could take in $40 million. There are 50 million Internet poker players in the country now and 300 million worldwide.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International
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