US 'close' to legalising online poker
House Financial Services Committee backs Barney Frank on Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act which would regulate online poker in the United States
| by Alligator Blood |  July, 29th 2010 |
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Above: US online poker saviour: Barney Frank
ONLINE poker could soon be making a return to the United States after a crucial vote was passed in Washington yesterday.
The House Financial Services Committee passed a measure that would see online gambling regulated and taxed.
Internet poker has effectively been illegal in the world's biggest gaming market 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 card rooms.
But poker-supporting Congressman Barney Frank has been fighting to have it repealed ever since – and yesterday the House panel backed his Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act by a 41-22-1 vote.
The legislation, which would bring many offshore poker companies back onto US soil and raise billions in tax revenue, could be now added to a 'safe' bill and passed into law later this year.
Although it would make online poker and bingo legal across the United States – providing individual states agreed - sports betting on events like the NFL and Major League Baseball would still be banned.
Some Republicans, such as Alabama representative Spencer Bachus are vehemently opposed to the new legislation and have warned it would 'put a casino' in every child's bedroom – despite regulation working well in other countries, such as the UK.
Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato, chairman of the Poker Player's Alliance, which has campaigned for the bill, said: “The fact is, online poker is not going away.
“Congress has a choice – it can license and regulate it to provide government oversight and consumer protections, or our lawmakers can stick their heads in the sand, ignore it, and leave consumers to play on non-U.S. regulated websites in all 50 states.”
He added: “I’m glad the Financial Services Committee overwhelmingly chose to act and protect Americans as well as preserve the fundamental freedoms of adults and the Internet.”
“This is a great day not only for poker players, but for proponents of Internet freedom and individual liberty,” said D’Amato.
“We thank Chairman Frank for his leadership on this bill, and look forward to working with him to bring this bill through the legislative process.”
