thecoalman - 9:46 pm on Mar 11, 2008 (gmt 0)

rather than pandering to a rather narrow part of its electorate in a flagrantly protectionist and inconsistent manner.

IMO That really has nothing to do with it , gambling is alive and well in most parts of the US. At the very least most states have... drum roll please... state sponsored lotteries. They just legalized casinos recently in the state where I live and they are getting 50% or better of the take. That is why they don't want to see online gambling.