Senate sub-commitee on internet gambling releases witness list

The US Senate sub-committee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Insurance has somewhat belatedly released its witness list for a hearing on internet gambling scheduled for today (Wednesday) in Washington .

Included on the list is Tom Grissen, who is chief executive of Daon Inc., a developer of biometrics software who will presumably cover technology and its capabilities in ensuring that gambling is kept away from the under aged or problem-prone.

Possibly speaking for regulated online poker, but not casino gambling, judging by past reports, the religious action group Catholic Advocate will be represented by its president, Matt Smith. Earlier this year this group took part in an initiative to persuade Congress to support the failed and now defunct Reid-Kyl online poker legalisation bill.

The Fraternal Order of Police is another action group whose name has surfaced before in online gambling political hearings. It will be represented today by its president, Chuck Canterbury. The organisation has in the past sought clarification on the legal position of online gambling by asking Congress to review and update existing legislation to better control illegal gambling activity that might be used in the commission of money laundering crimes.

The final witness disclosed thus far is Jack Blum, a local lawyer who has in the past been involved in various Senate investigations, and who has become an expert on money laundering matters.

The committee opens proceedings, which will be streamed over the internet, mid-morning Eastern Standard Time.