Posts Tagged ‘Congressman Barney Frank’
To play online poker in California in 2010, in a U.S. regulated market, for many Internet players could become a reality as the budget woes of the state have raised interest in alternative revenue sources. Leading the effort to make Internet gaming a reality are the Poker Voters of America (PVA) who sponsored the California Online Poker Law Enforcement Compliance and Consumer Protection Act (AB2026) in early 2009. Other efforts are being initiated by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians who owns the Morongo Casino joined by the Commerce Club based in Los Angeles. The goal is to set up a framework that allows the California public to enjoy the game on an intrastate basis by 2010, with some actually eyeing the end of 2009. Pretty much this will happen as the general consensus is the lawmakers in Sacremento are on board with it.
But California is not alone with budget problems and lower revenue from the current forms of gambling, which include state lotteries, land based casinos and slot machines. In the US, 48 states have seen shortfalls from gamimg revenue in the past year and since the 1990’s, they have come to a certain level of dependance on them. Many are seeking to expand on their sources of gaming revenue and are looking to do the same as California, with Florida to consider such a bill in 2010. On a national level, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced his bill (S 1597) to complement the efforts of the bill that Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) (HR 2267) has introduced to allow the afecionados of the game to enjoy themselves on the Internet. These bills address such issues as establishing a complete licensing and regulatory framework for the internet gambling industry in the United States, underage and compulsive gambling prevention and of course a nice level of profit for the coffers of the United States. All participants will have to be at least 21 years of age. It also seems that many Internet gaming websites are positioning themselves for this opportunity as on August 26th, Reuters reported that PartyGaming PLC of the UK purchased nearly all the assets of the World Poker Tour. Others such as the 888 gaming group have plans to purchase available resources to make inroads into the American market when regulated.
Every state has the right to form an intrastate form of Internet gaming under the UIGEA law and it seems that more states may choose to go along this path if they see monetary success with what California does. There will be numerous issues that need hammering out, ranging from fair representation for all Indian tribes and card rooms to Internet software that will be used to keep those under 21 from using credit cards belonging to their parents. But in the end, it is highly likely that you may hit a royal flush verses your opponent over the internet within the next few months.