BUSINESS MEMO: 'CYBER CASINOS'

Advocates of a House bill to ban "cyber casinos" contend it is needed to curb the proliferation of Internet sites offering casino games and sports betting to everyone with a credit card and a computer, regardless of whether gambling is legal where they live.

Critics, including the Justice Department, say the bill would actually help the pari-mutuel industry reach bettors who could not otherwise wager. Lobbyists for horse racing, dog racing and jai alai got exemptions inserted in the bill.