Pro-Poker Legislation Will Be Introduced in Coming Weeks

[The Straight Story]

Pro-Poker Legislation Will Be Introduced in Coming Weeks

Soon. It’s coming soon.

That’s what the poker community has been told about Congressional action regarding the reversal of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). This week, it has become much clearer just how soon poker players can expect that action.

“I expect that we will introduce the legislation in 2-3 weeks. Like last session, we will introduce after ,” Mike DeCesare, the chief of staff for Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA), told Card Player this week.

McDermott has fought for the taxation and regulation of online poker in the past, most notably in a bill he introduced last year, H.R. 6501. That bill would’ve used revenue from the regulation of Internet gambling for job training and opportunities for past foster care participants.

Frank (D-MA), of course, has also been at the heart of the fight for online poker. He previously introduced the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007 — which would have repealed the UIGEA — but that bill also never made it to the House floor for a vote.

http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/article/6375/pro-poker-legislation-will-be-introduced-in-coming-weeks

[FLAprogressive]

1. This means absolutely nothing. UIGEA was passed in the 109th by a 317-93 margin...do you really

expect its repeal? It's a bad law but it had bipartisan support (much like the stupid War on Drugs does)

This will die in committee. Sad but true.

[lapfog_1]

4. It might be passed is there is some sort of tax associated with

it. Hard times are also classic times to allow the "sins" so long as there is the associated "sin tax".

Governments hard up for revenue find the nerve to tell the busy-bodies to stuff it, we need the money.

[soothsayer]

2. Well, here's hoping!

[DrDan]

3. oh good Lord - do these guys not have enough to do with 2 wars and an economy in collapse,

[Turbineguy]

5. That's good.

All those unemployed Wall Street types need a place to go. The only difference is they'll be gambling with their own money this time, not ours.

[pokercat999]

6. This means more to the gaming industry in the US than to the

individual players. I have no trouble playing online or moving money from my bank to the poker site and back.

It would of course create more online poker rooms and possibly benefit the player with more in comps and sign up bonuses etc.

After the way we've seen the government regulate the banking industry I'm not sure I would trust a US based site, certaintly not more than I trust PokerStars.com, which is the only site I play at because of player protection and security safeguards.