Campbell has become the leading Republican interested in finding a compromise solution at the federal level, despite opposition within his party. In January, the House of Representatives turned over from Democratic to Republican control. In the process, Frank lost his position as Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and now serves as its Ranking Member. Democrats retained control of the Senate.
According to the Poker Players Alliance (PPA), the bill would implement “new technologies to prevent underage play and problem gambler abuse. The bill expands consumer protections not included in the current Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). In addition, the Federal Government and the states will have the authority to prevent consumer fraud and generate revenue through taxes that are currently being paid to competing countries.”
The bill also contains provisions to investigate potential licensees; set deposit and loss limits; and combat cheating, fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering.
Many of the provisions are similar to HR 2267 that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) attempted unsuccessfully to introduce at the end of 2010.
PPA Chairman and former three-term Republican Senator Alfonse D’Amato commented in a press release, “I commend Representative Campbell and Ranking Member Frank for their leadership to protect players’ rights while implementing important consumer safeguards. We look forward to supporting this vital legislation as it moves through the legislative process.”
While there is stiff opposition expected, having a new bill to champion will provide a federal solution that could trump many of the individual states efforts to find a state by state solution. “The great American game of poker has long been ingrained in our country’s proud history and,as with so many other facets of life, has migrated in the technological age to an online format,”said PPA Chairman and former Senator Alfonse D’Amato. “Given that millions of Americans currently play online poker, states across the country are recognizing the value in licensing and regulating the game and many are introducing their own laws to allow for residents to play in a safe, regulated market while collecting millions in tax revenue. However, instead of a patchwork of state laws limiting the pool of players against whom residents can play and serving to only protect the Americans in those states, the time is now for Congress to step up and pass federal legislation, like the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act,that allows the entire country to benefit.
