INTERNET GAMBLING BILL DEFEATED IN HOUSE VOTE LAST NIGHT

          The House of Representatives last night "defeated a
     bill that would have banned most forms of online gambling,"
     according to Morgan & Schwartz of the WASHINGTON POST, who
     report that the bill fell 25 votes short of the 270 needed
     for approval.  The bill "drew opposition from lawmakers and
     advocates concerned about federal regulation of Internet
     content, as well as the potential for invasion of privacy."
     Critics also "raised concerns that to make the legislation
     palatable to the politically influential parimutuel horse
     racing and dog racing industries, GOP leaders had agreed to
     exemptions that would actually legalize an expansion of
     opportunities for online gambling."  Morgan & Schwartz
     report that it appears "unlikely" that GOP leaders will
     "attempt to bring the measure back to the House again this
     year given the limited time and the difficulty of crafting a
     compromise on such a complex issue" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/18), 
     In N.Y., Christopher Marquis calls the vote a "defeat for
     horse-racing interests" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/18).