Online Casino Bill Waits for New Congress
Barney Frank's bill forcing the definition of illegal online gambling to be established before any enforcement of the UIGEA will not reach the House floor before the current Congressional session recesses. HR 6870 was passed by the Financial Services Committee, but the national credit crisis dominated Congressional attention, leaving the gambling bill waiting.
Still, the bill is not dead, merely awaiting the new Congress to be seated after the elections. The possibility of an increased Democratic majority may help the bill to pass, as opposition has largely been from the Rpublican side.
The bill is expected to be the first piece in an overall strategy to legalize and regulate Internet casinos in the United States. The UIGEA has turned out to be an unenforceable mess, and neither protects consumers, produces revenue, nor respects individual rights.
Passing a bill opening the way for controlled and regulated online casinos to operate legally would also settle international trade problems for the United States, which is facing a legal inquiry from the European Union in response to complaints from the Remote Gaming Association.
Expect the bill to be brought before the full House for debate next January.
