One Step Closer To Legalized Online Poker in the U.S.
At the end of last month a big date for the battle to legalize online poker happened, as the House Financial Services Committee passed Barney Frank’s Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act vote of 41-22-1. This is the first time that they bill that regulates and licenses the Internet gambling industry in the United States received a positive vote on the federal level.
Just because the bill passed it does not mean Internet poker will be legalized. However, it does show that the views towards online poker are changing. Only 4 years ago Congress voted 6-1 against online gambling, as there was a lot of support for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. In last month’s vote online poker received a positive vote by almost 2-1.
Former Senator Alfonse DíAmato, chairman of the Poker Players Alliance recently stated, “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. I’m glad the Financial Services Committee today overwhelmingly chose to act and protect Americans as well as preserve the fundamental freedoms of adults and the Internet.”
Frank’s bill got major support from the Democrats, who voted 34-4 in support, and they also received some bi-partisan support from the Republican Party as well. The Republicans had 18 votes against the bill 7 for it.
There were 14 amendments made to Frank’s legislation, most of which were supported by the Poker Players Alliance.
The controversial additions to the bill for poker players were a couple or amendments that would keep websites that have been seen to be in violation of international gaming laws from getting licensed in the U.S. This deals with such websites like PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, which are a couple of the bigger poker websites the world over. The federal law is in a gray area in terms of online gambling.
Pappas stated the PPA would support the legislation as long as these current website operators are given the chance to apply for a license. Pappas believes the websites would have the chance to make their case before regulators under the current laws that may soon take effect in regulating online poker in the U.S. He also believes the poker sites of PokerStars and Full Tilt will continue to support the legislation as well as the effort of the PPA’s efforts. Pappas stated, “It’s not our job to guarantee a license. It’s our job to guarantee an open market where everyone can apply for one.”
