Republican Congressman from Texas Joe Barton announced Tuesday that he will introduce legislation to legalize and regulate online poker in the United States. Barton revealed that the bill is currently undergoing final changes and should be introduced in the near future. According to The Hill, “He hopes the measure can pass both chambers of Congress this session.”

Barton made his announcement outside the capital at a modest "fly-in" rally for online poker legislation organized by the Poker Players Alliance.

The major difference in this latest gaming oriented legislation appears to be that it will come from the the House Energy and Commerce Committee rather than the House Financial Services committee now chaired by anti-gambling proponent Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL).

Barton explained "It is not illegal to play poker for money on the internet. In the UIGEA, we have a law that’s probably unenforceable… These indictments that have been passed down have to do with the transactional elements.”

Barton added, “Poker is a game of skill. I have challenged a number of my friends in Congress to take the position that poker is a game of chance.”

Barton explained that he’d dare any Congressman to put up $1,000 of their own money against $1,000 belonging to 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Greg Raymer, who was also on-hand, in order to see whether poker was a game of luck.

According to The Hill, “Barton indicated both [House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI)] and Commerce sub-panel Chairwoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) are receptive to holding a hearing on his online poker bill this summer.”

Another supporter of gaming regulation, Congressman John Campbell (R-CA, pictured), was present. He introduced HR 1174, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act in a prior session which has attracted 22 co-sponsors, including Frank, Steve Cohen (D-TN), and former Presidential candidate Ron Paul (R-TX).

PPA Chairman Alfonse D’Amato began the proceedings by asserting that the UIGEA “didn’t ban lotteries. It didn’t ban horse racing. It banned poker.” He added, “We need to legalize it. We need to make sure there are strict rules of enforcement. We need to make sure that states who don’t want it can opt out.”

Rep. Barton to introduce Poker Legislation