Congressional subcommittee weighs online gambling

Organizations and advocates on all sides of the online gambling debate are cheering a Congressional hearing on the state of online gambling.

The hearing took place Tuesday before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade.

In his testimony, American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman praised the hearing as timely. He said the gambling lobby appreciated Congress' leadership.

The Gaming Association is pushing for a national regulatory structure for online gambling.

On the other side of the spectrum, the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling applauded Congress for "taking seriously the threat of Internet gambling"

The coalition said in a statement the hearing provided a chance to explore the dangers associated with online betting.

At least three Congressional bills related to online gambling have been introduced this year.

© 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.