Going Before the Committee
Many politicians in the United States are still making efforts to reverse or
neutralize the highly controversial Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act
which came into effect nearly two years ago. The UIGEA caused a stir in the
international internet gambling community because it specifically blocks
offshore online casinos from processing transactions with U.S. players.
Representatives like Barney Frank, Ron Paul, Shelley Berkley, and a handful of
others have introduced bills that are designed to address the long-term issues
that are rampant in the UIGEA. Berkley in particular has a bill that proposes a
year-long study of the U.S. online casino gambling industry – this bill has been
a long time in the works and in just days the bill will go up for a vote.
Berkley is a Representative for the State of Nevada and her proposed bill, HR
2140, the Internet Gambling Study Act has created mixed reactions in the online
casino gambling industry. Industry supporters are not exactly against her bill
because it could have long-term positive effects by verifying the validity of
licensing and regulating the internet gambling industry. Some politicians and
online casinos though are hesitant to support the bill because it does not
provide an immediate solution to the problem at hand.
The Internet Gambling Study Act goes before the House Judiciary Committee for
markup this week and with all of the controversy surrounding this subject there
is every indication that it could face some serious revisions. For the most
part, even though online casino gambling enthusiasts are hoping for a quick
solution to the UIGEA, Berkley’s bill is actually much needed and could really
provide unbiased research on the U.S. gambling industry that may help
politicians and pressure groups neutralize the UIGEA. |