Online Casino Regulation Bill Gets Support

October 9, 2007

Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank has introduced a bill that would regulate online gambling in the United States, as well as counteract the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). When Frank first announced the bill there was much speculation as to whether or not it would get any interest at all or any support. However, the longer it is out there, the more support the bill seems to get.

Frank has recently announced that Massachusetts Representative William Delahunt has also signed on to support the bill, and is now listed as a co-sponsor. Delahunt has been outspoken before in his problems with the UIGEA, and voted against the bill when it was originally passed. Delahunt has no desire to see online gambling restricted and has made his viewpoint well known.

The bill, known as IGREA, was originally met with anticipation by the online gambling community as they hoped it would pass and everyone could go back to business as usual. However, the bill was introduced in April, and does not seem to have gone very far since that time. Frank says that the bill is doing just fine, even if it has been slow to gain momentum.

Players have been urged to contact their representatives to tell them that they want the bill passed, and that they opposed the UIGEA. Even still, they currently have 37 sponsors, but need more to have their voices heard. Frank says that the bill is currently sitting in the House Energy Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, and that no further action is expected this year. He says that the bill is still very much alive, but it still needs more support.



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