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Washington Law makers step up plans to legalize online poker in the US

Online poker’s legitimacy in the United States has undergone a long period of uncertainty and now several high profile politicians are hoping to finally clear the legal red tape and challenge the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). The Massachusetts based Democrat Barney Frank is a long-time campaigner for the legalization movement and is spear-heading the movement. He supports legalisation both for reasons of personal freedom and because of the benefits the industry could bring. The other significant backers are offshore gaming companies who are financing the challenge.

The UIGEA is set to come into affect on June 1st, after a six month delay to the original plans. However another piece of legislation is being debated in Congress, one that will legalize and regulate online poker and effectively render the UIGEA null and void. At this time it remains to be seen whether the counter will prove successful with the Washington Post stating “Gambling opponents say Democrats are unlikely to muster support during such a contentious year, but proponents say that changing mores and the prospect of new tax revenue give the effort a better chance than at any other time in recent memory.”

Along with the famously liberal Congressman Frank, other prominent supporters of the legalisation movement include Democratic Congressman, Richard Gephardt who is a lobbyist for PokerStars and former Republican senator Alfonse M. D’Amato, chairman of the 1.2 million member strong Poker Players Alliance. The organisation is largely bankrolled by the Interactive Gaming Council, a trade group of off shore gaming companies and they have spent over $4 million so far trying to drum up support for their cause.