Reps. Paul and Frank Attempt to Halt Poker Restrictions
Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) may never get the presidency nomination he vied for this year, but that’s not going to stop him from working on behalf of his country’s citizens. As a dedicated representative, he will continue to introduce legislation he deems beneficial to all concerned parties until his term in office ends. Proof of this was seen earlier this month when on April 10 he and Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass) presented Congress with a bill on behalf of us, the poker players of America.
The legislation, H.R.5767, is meant to lessen the limitations currently imposed on online gamblers by the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). The Act has prevented many from playing in their favored game rooms, as it severely restricts the types and amounts of transactions that can be made. It lumps poker and similar games in with varying forms of illegal gambling, in an unfair generalization of online activity.
H.R. 5767 would stop the government’s activity in regard to these regulations. It would ensure that the U.S. Department of Treasury and Federal Reserve System did not create new or implement any further regulations. It would essentially block the UIGEA, allowing for a much-needed reprieve in the poker world.
Unfortunately, H.R. 5767 is still in the initial stages of legislation. While the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative has announced its support, the bill still only has Paul and Frank as co-sponsors. To get through Congress and eventually be enacted it will require many more supporters. However, that should not be a problem. There is already a considerable amount of outside support from gambling and financial institutions. Many other representatives feel strongly about the UIGEA having introduced their own bills that would lessen the restrictions on poker players. So it should just be a matter of time until the acts against online poker become acts for it.
Stay informed and keep up to date on all the action, and take action to move these bills forward.
