With anti-online casino gambling legislation awaiting its day of reckoning with the U.S. Senate, several Senators are stirring things up in Congress, bantering their sentiments of support and resistance. The most outspoken of the bunch so far has been Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, who has said that he will attempt to attach the recently passed legislation in the House to another bill already scheduled for voting. However, just as outspoken is Democratic Senate Leader of Nevada, Harry Reid, who is resisting Frist's efforts claiming that a study by the federal commission on the impact and status of online casino gambling is justified before passing legislation that would make it illegal.

One would think that Reid is in support of the online gambling industry. However, like many other Democrats, although he does support a ban on internet betting, he is also in support of a study that would give the other side of this hotly contested issue a fair chance at proving its capacity of being successfully regulated. These are also the sentiments of Nevada's other Senator, John Ensign, who is on record saying that he would support a ban on online casino gambling only if it was paired with legislation that called for a federal study of the effects of internet wagering and the technological advancements that have made the industry safe, credible and fit for regulation. He went on to say that the "ban" he supports should only be a temporary one until the study can be accurately gauged. Cutting back on internet betting and protecting children seems to be a major priority of all Senators, whether in support or against the pending legislation ruling.

Online casino and gaming industry insiders argue that it is precisely this element of ignorance regarding the industry that warrants a study before even considering a ban. There are several problem and underage gambling prevention standards set in place, which the majority of regulated online casinos abide by. For instance, in the United Kingdom - where online gambling has been legalized - the eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation Assurance, otherwise known as eCOGRA, has worked hand in hand with government officials - advising them on the secure standards they have already put into effect, such as offering direct links to childproofing software (NetNanny), imposing casino software to reoccurring fairness tests financial audits for determining payout percentages, offering counseling on problem gambling, and facilitating self-exclusion protocols and deposit limitations.

In regards to a study, legislation for doing so has already been introduced by Nevada House Republican, John Porter. The bill calls for an eighteen month study, and despite not having a strong likelihood of getting passed by the current Congressional session, Porter says he will introduce it first thing in 2007 if he is reelected for another term. The bill already has fifty co-sponsors, and was originally suggested by the Nevada Gaming Commission, after which Porter took full charge in preparing its outline and scope. As for the anti-online casino gambling legislation being spearheaded by Senator Frist (which evidently leaves many gambling carve outs, including fantasy sports leagues and horse racing), the only chances it has for coming up to be voted on this term are if it is attached to another bill currently scheduled to be looked over. Frist and one of the bill's authors, Jon Kyl, tried to attach it to a defense bill, which was adamantly rejected by Congressional members, citing that it was a completely "out-of-scope provision" with the defense bill.