Internet Gambling Bill Gains Momentum

After the major lobbying push at the Poker Players Alliance's National Poker Week, three more members of the US congress have thrown in their hats as co-sponsors of the Internet Gambling Regulation Consumer Protection & Enforcement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2267). This brings the number of co-sponsors of the bill up to 51.

Introduced by Rep. Barney Frank in May this year, H.R. 2267 if passed will essentially repeal the UIGEA and make internet gambling (internet poker included) legal in the United States. Former presidential candidate Ron Paul (R-TX) is also a major supporter of the bill, signing up as its primary co-sponsor when it was first announced.

The 3 new members that have signed up to Frank's bill during the week-long lobbying event are Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI) and Mike Thompson (D-CA). Of the bill's 51 co-sponsors, 4 are Republicans, 46 are Democrats and one Independent. With this much open support shown for this bill, many in the industry are feeling upbeat that it will be passed later this year.

During the National Poker Week held in  Washington D.C. from July 19-25, the PPA held 110 meetings with various Congressman and their staff. The major message delivered in those meetings was that licensing and regulation were the way forward for online poker. They believe that the meetings all went extremely well and were confident that they managed to positively sway opinion during the meetings.

On top of the lobbying, the PPA also hosted a Charity Tournament which was participated by top pros like Andy Bloch, Howard Lederer and Annie Duke. That tournament raised a total of $35,000 for the United Service Organizations, which provides morale and recreational services to the US armed forces.