Online gambling image by befuddle via Flickr
Representative (Rep.) Barney Frank has recently picked up two more supporters for his online gambling bill, which would bring an end to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Mike Thompson from California is supporter number 50 and Rep. Daniel B. Maffei from New York is number 51.
“Rep. Frank has received major support from both New York and California in his efforts to change Internet gambling laws,” said observer Mike Ralley, “already, there are 13 co-sponsors from New York and five from California.”
California lawmakers are already considering legalizing online poker, which could potentially bring in millions of dollars in revenue for the state. And New York Governor David A. Patterson, who is a proponent of allowing more options for gambling in his state, has recently expanded New York’s land-based casino gambling options.
“These lawmakers are starting to realize just how out of touch previous lawmakers were when they adopted the UIGEA,” said observer Mark Freely. “The new administration seems much more in tune with what people in the U.S. want, and clearly, people want the right to gamble online legally.”
Rep. Frank understood this from the beginning and has fought hard over the years for people’s right to do whatever they want with their money in their own homes. A Republican-led Congress held Frank back in his previous efforts to get rid of the UIGEA but Frank has political numbers in his favor this time around, now that Democrats hold the majority in both the House and the Senate. Frank is also receiving a lot of support from Republicans who want to position their party as more friendly to the growing number of online gamblers.
Needless to say, online gambling site owners and trade associations are in full support. Even sites that offer free online roulette and other non-paying games of chance have a dog in this fight, because those sites provide gateways to paid games, such as online video poker (or online pokies, as it’s called in Europe and Australia), slots, black jack and many other forms of Internet gambling. All eyes are watching the progress of this initiative, because there’s a lot of money at stake.
