Jack Abromoff talks DOJ about face and legalized US online gambling

If you have any interest in Washington political process as it relates to the issue of Internet gambling then the below video is worth a look.

Jack Abromoff (Casino Jack) comments on the Department of Justice’s softened stance toward online gambling and the likelihood of legislation legalizing the industry passing any time soon.  This guy’s got as good a handle on the political process in Washington as anyone…a super lobbyist credited by many as being the driving force behind the defeat of a couple of anti-online gambling bills before UIGEA was eventually passed in 2006 (his lobbying days were over by then).

Couple of interesting remarks:

On the DOJ about face…

“It’s actually quite amazing. For those of us that worked on internet gambling…it’s quite astonishing frankly. I’m not certain who expected it but it was certainly a surprise to me.”

On the likelihood of getting pro-Internet gambling legislation over the line…

“It’s going to be very difficult.  Whenever one is on offence lets call it, trying to get something affirnatively passed it’s always more difficult than people on defence and there are people who will oppose this…they’re active in lobbying and spending money.  Moving legislation in the house is going to be extremely difficult and expensive.”