MyPokerBasics.com Discusses Impact of Recent Elections on Online Poker
As mid-term elections come to fruition, there is one key position that millions of Americans stand upon and are now looking to their new and veteran politicians to address. Is there any new hope for the legalization of online poker in the US?
SANTA BARBARA, CA, November 06, 2010
Citizens of the United States had some interesting decisions to make this week as they headed to the polls for the 2010 mid-term elections. On the minds of millions as they posted their ballets was the nation's current stance towards the legalities of playing poker online.MyPokerBasics.com has been closely following the campaigns of the United States' newly elected and re-elected officials to determine the potential for legalization of online poker in some parts of the US. In short, there is good news and bad news for supporters of legal online poker.
The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) put forth a great deal of effort to back the politicians who were clearly in support of online poker legislation, and on some level, they did succeed.
Returning to office this month is Barney Frank, US House Representative for Massachusetts and current Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. Barney Frank was the catalyst for HR 2267 and staunch, long time advocate of legal online poker in the US. Also returning to his political seat is Nevada's Senate Majority Leader and legal online poker sponsor Harry Reid, along with Washington's Jim McDermott, who was responsible for detailing HR 2267's tax companion bill.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, whose strict opposition of legalizing online poker has resounded throughout Congress for several years running.
With the new elections finalized, there has been a shift in power in the House of Congress. Thus Barney Frank is not expected to maintain his position as leader of the House Financial Services Committee. Instead, Alabama's Spencer Bachus will likely claim the position. It is not exactly clear what this means for American online poker fans, but speculations are already rising up as the elective dust settles.
Bachus has not opposed online poker regulation in the past, but has never been a proponent of it either. He has, however, made it clear that he believes the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) requires review and revision. UIGEA attempted to limit transactions between financial institutions and poker sites. It also affected Credit and MasterCard to poker site deposits. As a consequence, USA Poker Deposit Options are fairly limited in 2010.
In its efforts to convince the United States government that there is much need for change, the PPA is no longer expected to push online poker as a game of skill, rather than being defined as gambling in the court's eyes. This argument has yet to succeed on a nationwide level. Instead, the PPA is more likely to pursue an economical angle.
As a multitude of states seek out new ways to build the economy and bring in a new, much needed source of revenue, the group will push re-legislation of online poker as a means to generate millions of dollars in tax revenue. While many political campaigns focused on the need to create new job opportunities, this may be just the angle the PPA has needed to succeed in convincing congress that playing online poker with real people shouldn't be a taboo activity in the US.
Supporters of a new, legal online poker bill, and revision of the current UIEGA, can find a detailed list of all congressional supporters, as well as opponents, on the PPA's new Congressional Ratings Guide. Searchable by state and zip code, visitors will be able to view congressman who voted for and against regulation of online poker, along with any statements they have made publicly concerning the legalization of online poker in the US. All of this so you can play online poker against friends without restrictions one day.
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