Cometh the hour, cometh Barney Frank...
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act faces most serious challenge yet, starting with a debate on HR2267 tomorrow in Washington
| by Alligator Blood |  July, 20th 2010 |
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Above: Barney Frank is seen as a cult hero by some US poker players
A crucial debate will take place tomorrow that could pave the way for online poker to be fully regulated and legalised in America.
The world's biggest gaming market has been flat since the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was passed in 2006.
The controversial law, which was bundled through by George Bush with unrelated anti-terrorism legislation, bans the transfer of funds from financial institution to gambling sites, including poker rooms.
But the debate has been raging over the pond ever since and tomorrow the The House Financial Services Committee, chaired by poker-supporting Congressman Barney Frank, will examine the possibility of regulating poker instead.
Mr Frank - seen as a cult hero by many US poker players - has claimed regulating poker and online gambling, rather than banning it, could bring in as much as $72 billion in taxes in the next decade.
At 1pm (ET) his committee will debate the sexily-named HR2267 - Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act - which would see online poker again made legal.
US players have largely drifted away from the big poker sites since 2006, much to the fury of the Poker Players Alliance - a million-strong group of Hold'em lovers who are backing the bill.
PPA Director John Pappas said: “We appreciate Chairman Frank calling another hearing on HR 2267.
"The PPA and the poker community stand ready to secure its passage.”
The Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA) is also hoping the act eventually gets passed - but admitted there was frustration in the industry.
Chairman Joe Brennan added: "The i-gaming lobby has been working too hard for too long. It deserves more than a hearing.
"But, we’ll wait and see who will appear as witnesses. I’d like to see John Pappas finally get the opportunity to appear before the House Financial Services Committee and make the case for the players.”
HR2267 is unlikely to get 'marked-up' in the short session tomorrow, but it is hoped a vote on the legislation could take place before the August recess, meaning the bill will finally go to Capitol Hill.
The big poker sites are all cheering on Mr Frank's efforts and some, including Full Tilt Poker, have actively campaigned for their players to support HR2267.
A team of Full Tilt pros including Phil Ivey and Gus Hansen sent a mass e-mail recently asking online players to ‘Stand Up for Poker’ and contact their US government representatives to support the bill.
