It had to happen sooner or later. US casino operators MGM, Harrahs and others are urging congress to legalise online gambling in the US.

This is happening at the same time that some senators are looking for an outright ban.

The operators have finally figured out - well publicly at least - that the best way to control the $12 billion online gambling industry is to get a part of it themselves - and the only way to do that is to regulate it - something the online operators have been saying for years and something that the UK is already doing something about

``The argument the industry is making is, if it is being done offshore, why not bring it in to the U.S. so it can be regulated?'' says Senator John Ensign, a Nevada Republican who has discussed the issue with representatives of Las Vegas-based Harrah's, the world's largest casino owner. ``It doesn't look like you can ban it.''

MGM and Harrahs are no strangers to the online gambling industry. Both have launched online gaming products in the last few years to non-US players and both failed miserably.

Article: MGM, Harrah's Press Congress for Piece of Online Gaming Action