Regulation of US online gambling makes progress
The ongoing petition to regulate online gaming in the US achieved its first legislative victory since the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) when “The House Financial Services Committee” passed the Payment Systems Protection Act (PSPA) yesterday. The victory was especially remarkable due to the fact that a similar measure failed to make it out of committee two months ago after a 32-32 vote.
This new bill, sponsored by Committee Chairman Barney Frank, calls on the Treasury Department to begin formulating and implementing regulations that prevent sports betting transactions from being processed – thus ensuring the government can regulate the system. However, the bill is limited to only sports betting transactions at present.
“Under this bill, at least the banks will know what is and isn’t illegal… We’re asking the Treasury Department to give them a list,” clarified Frank at the press conference discussing the new bill yesterday.
Rep. Spencer Bachus led the opposition to the bill, and said yesterday that “I’m disappointed that we’re marking up another bill designed to impede the enforcement of the UIGEA… This legislation (UIGEA) is necessary because Internet gambling regulations can not work like casino regulations.” Bachus also stated that “professional sports leagues continue to oppose the delay in implementing UIGEA regulations”, but this angered some others present at the vote – for example, one representative said that he was “puzzled by pro sports opposition” to the bill.
The passage of the bill by the House Financial Services Committee was applauded from the Poker Players Alliance (PPA). “The PPA is pleased that the House Financial Services Committee today recognized the need to provide necessary clarification to what constitutes ‘unlawful Internet gambling’ under the UIGEA” said PPA chairman and former Senator Alfonse D’Amato. “Even those who oppose internet gambling should applaud the passage of this legislation as it provides the most realistic opportunity to block truly unlawful internet gambling transactions.”
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