Representative Joe Barton
Representative Joe Barton The latest attempt to regulate online poker in the US came on Friday when Representative Joe Barton introduced the Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection, and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2011. Unfortunately for online casinos, they will be left out of the party if the legislation is approved.

Barton's new bill is co-sponsored by some heavyweights in the US political culture. Rep. Barney Frank, the former Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Rep. John Campbell, who himself has introduced online gambling legislation, are both co-sponsors.

Frank is joined by Democratic leaders Shelley Berkley, Steve Cohen, John Conyers, Mike Honda, Ed Perlmutter, and Linda Sanchez, all as co=sponsors. Ron Paul, Peter King, and Michael Grimm, make the bill a bipartisan attempt at regulation, with each serving as a co-sponsor.

"Poker is an all-American game, and it's a game that requires strategy and skill," said Rep. Barton in a press release on Friday. "Millions of Americans play poker online. Although it's legal to play for money, it's illegal to process the transactions that allows players to collect their earnings. We want to have an iron-clad system to make sure that those who play for money are playing in an honest, fair system where they can reap the benefits of their winnings."

Rep. Frank had long been attempting to regulate all forms of online gambling, but the Barton bill does not allow for sports betting or casino gambling online. That, according to several lawmakers, could come at a later date. As of now, the legislators are looking to appease the millions of players who have lost their places to play in recent months.

The fact that this bill is being driven by a Conservative should help the legislation on a path towards passage. Rep. Frank and Rep. Campbell's bill would have had to work its way through the House Finance Committee, where anti-gambling legislator Rep. Spencer Bachus is the current chairman.


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