By
Dan |
Published
Aug 16 2007, 12:37 PM
|
As the seasons begin to change and the temperature begins to drop nationwide, a new wind of change is about to spread across the United States. It’s a transformation that will be a welcome sight for poker players everywhere. Proposed by PocketFives favorite
Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), H.R. 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007, is a piece of legislation that every single member of the online poker community should keep an eye on. The many issues that players are having depositing, withdrawing, and playing with confidence could soon be just a memory.
This article is the first of a four part series examining each of the four bills currently in the U.S. House of Representatives that are favorable to online poker players. We’ll also provide an update on the progress of each from the Poker Players Alliance.
The Text
A statement by the House Financial Services Committee summarizes H.R. 2046 in a nutshell: “The Act establishes a federal regulatory and enforcement framework to license companies to accept bets and wagers online from individuals in the U.S., to the extent permitted by individual states, Indian tribes and sport leagues. All such licenses would include protections against underage gambling, compulsive gambling, money laundering and fraud.” These important protections address many of the reasons for the initial passage of the UIGEA itself: children gambling online, gamblers clicking their mouse and losing their house, and the ever-present concern over terrorism.
The licensing framework as part of Congressman Frank’s legislation is quite extensive. As such, the degree of consumer confidence in the sites they’re playing on should increase. Rather than have faith in offshore companies, some holding dubious reputations, consumers can deposit, play, and withdraw from sites controlled by a rigid string of federal safeguards. This consumer confidence is a point constantly repeated by the PPA to Congressmen from around the nation.
The Act allows state lawmakers to have discretion with regards to gambling within their jurisdictions: “To protect States’ and Indian tribes’ rights to control gambling activities within their respective geographic borders, the Act permits States and Indian tribes either to prohibit Internet gambling activities or impose limits on various types of Internet gambling activities.” A user’s IP address will be used to enforce this measure. Additionally, sports leagues can opt in or out of allowing wagering on their particular game.
Pappas summarizes the bill and why you should care about it: “H.R. 2046 is a pro-consumer and pro-internet freedom bill. It recognizes that law-abiding and consenting adult Americans should have the freedom to play a game of skill on the Internet. It provides a sensible alternative to the draconian UIGEA by offering a safe and regulated place for people to enjoy the game they love. The legislation will clarify federal laws and make them even better for people who want to wager responsibly over the Internet.”
The Co-Sponsors
H.R. 2046 was introduced in April and was discussed by the House Financial Services Committee on June 8. Witnesses who spoke in front of the Committee included Michael Colopy, Senior Vice President of Communications for Aristotle, Inc.; Pastor Greg Hogan; and Radley Balko, Senior Editor of Reason Magazine. They, along with others, expressed differing views about the feasibility of regulating internet gambling. The legislation has attracted 35 Co-Sponsors. Here’s a complete list of them along with the Congressional district they represent and the date they attached their name to the bill.
Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] - 7/26/2007
Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] - 4/26/2007
Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43] - 7/26/2007
Rep Berkley, Shelley [NV-1] - 4/26/2007
Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] - 6/7/2007
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] - 4/26/2007
Rep Carnahan, Russ [MO-3] - 6/28/2007
Rep Carson, Julia [IN-7] - 4/26/2007
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 4/26/2007
Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] - 5/22/2007
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 6/7/2007
Rep Fossella, Vito [NY-13] - 6/15/2007
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 4/26/2007
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 6/28/2007
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] - 7/19/2007
Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] - 4/26/2007
Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] - 4/26/2007
Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] - 5/22/2007
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 5/24/2007
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 6/7/2007
Rep Melancon, Charlie [LA-3] - 5/16/2007
Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] - 4/26/2007
Rep Perlmutter, Ed [CO-7] - 5/24/2007
Rep Rodriguez, Ciro D. [TX-23] - 5/22/2007
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] - 7/19/2007
Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-39] - 5/17/2007
Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 8/3/2007
Rep Thompson, Bennie G. [MS-2] - 7/10/2007
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 5/17/2007
Rep Watt, Melvin L. [NC-12] - 4/26/2007
Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [NY-9] - 7/10/2007
Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 4/26/2007
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 7/26/2007
Rep Wynn, Albert Russell [MD-4] - 7/19/2007
Rep Young, Don [AK] - 6/27/2007
The Update
Pappas comments that, since the bill’s hearing back, in June, “more than 20 members of Congress have added their name as a cosponsor of the bill. Normal procedure would require that the bill next be ‘marked-up,’ essentially amended and voted on in a Financial Services sub-committee or the full committee. However, ‘normal’ procedure is often ignored (one only has to look at how the UIGEA was passed) and H.R. 2046 could potentially come directly to the House floor for a vote or be added to another bill which will be voted on. It is just too early to say what will happen in September. One thing is certain though: we need to add more co-sponsors to the bill if we want it to go anywhere. PocketFivers need to call their U.S. Representative and tell him or her to co-sponsor, H.R. 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act.”
News Resources
Read a Q&A from the PPA on H.R. 2046.
Review the full text of the proposed legislation.
Track the bill's progress on the Library of Congress website.
Become a PPA member now and help make a difference.