One More Day Before Online Gambling Bill Markup

After months of waiting, online gambling patrons across the US must wait one more day before seeing Barney Frank's regulatory bill marked up.

Barney Frank's proposal detailing licensing and regulation for online gambling operators will have at least one more postponement, as the House Financial Services Committee could finish other business in time to address the issue today. Chairman Frank announced the group would reconvene at noon tomorrow, and the online casino measure would be the first item of business.

The schedule for the Congressional committee had the Internet gambling bill listed as the third of seven pieces of legislation to review on Tuesday, but a number of proposed amendments to the two preceding bills, which each concerned public housing, caused lengthy debate and numerous votes. The ensuing delays, plus a healthy three-hour recess, brought the decision to end the day just before 6 p.m.

Frank's measure is designed to correct the multiple flaws that have been exposed in the problematic UIGEA online gambling ban. The ban has confused, infuriated, and burdened a variety of interests with its bumbling, unsuccessful, and poorly planned attempt at blocking Internet gambling sites.

The Frank bill, according to experts from the financial industry, Internet authorities, and government officials, will better serve to protect consumers, avoid fraud, prevent money laundering and adolescent abuse, and guard against problem gambling than the UIGEA. Also, while enforcing the UIGEA costs the federal government significantly, revenues created by Frank's measure would bring the US 10 billion a year or more over the next decade.

Still, the bill is expected to find fierce opposition, led by Representative Spencer Bachus. Bachus is closely allied to social conservatives, whose political agenda includes denying freedom of choice to gambling patrons.

Internet gaming players are being urged by industry news sites to write their Congressional delegates and express their opinions. Information as to which members of Congress relate to which constituents can be found here:

Link to Representatives by district

Link to Senators by state