Economic Priorities Force Delay of Frank Online Gambling Bill
The US House Financial Services Committee is mired in discussions regarding the future regulation of the US economy, leaving Barney Frank's bill to regulate online gambling on the shelf until September. According to the Poker Players Alliance, the debate on the bill will have to wait until the fall while more pressing issues are handled.
The possibility of the Frank measure, which would end the UIGEA online casino ban and establish regulations for Internet gambling, being buried under urgent economic legislation has been a concern for the gaming industry. Still, this was foreseen and addressed by Frank, who told supporters weeks ago not to fret about the timeline.
"We'll get it done," Frank assured the millions of US residents anxious to see the bill advance and recover their freedom to choose to play at online gambling sites.
The bill was originally planned to begin committee hearings right after the Independence Day holiday, and the PPA had expected to coordinate a gathering of supporters in Washington, D.C. for the occasion. No announcement was forthcoming as to whether the organization would still bring supporters in in numbers when the hearing does commence.
The McDermott bill and Frank's second bill which address taxing Internet gambling and delaying implementation of the UIGEA will also find themselves delayed until later in the year.
