‘Political’ Poker Row Complicates Legalisation


The Reid vs. Heller dispute over the best way to introduce a new online poker legalisation bill initiated Arizona’s Senator Jon Kyl involvement who said that: “The object here should be to pass a bill and not make Senator Heller look bad.”

The argument between the two Nevada Senators – Democrat Harry Reid and Republican Dean Heller – started when Reid had tried to impose a deadline on his request that Heller muster Republican support for a joint Democrat-Republican attempt to introduce a federal legalisation bill on internet poker.

Senator Kyl, who has co-authored the bill with Reid, agreed with Heller’s suggestion that the bill be introduced to the House of Representatives and not the Senate: “I am afraid that if the Senate acts first the House will feel itself jammed and it wouldn’t go anywhere.”

Kyl even accused Reid of playing a political game, making the project harder to achieve: “Instead of an approach by which we might have been able to bring people along, I think it looks to be what it is, and that is very political.”

“It looks like some political hack wrote that letter for Harry. I think he wants to get this done but he must appreciate that letter was going to make it very, very hard. I am distressed it has taken the turn that it has.” Kyl concluded.

With the limited time remaining in the current session of Congress, the Reid-Kyl bill, ponderously titled “The Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2012”, has proposed several measures.

Firstly, the legalisation will apply only to online poker and not online gambling in general. Individual states will be prevented from offering casino/slot style games over the internet as part of the lottery product. What’s more, internet cafes and international player pools are specifically prohibited.

Also, the anti-online gambling enforcement measures are to be stepped up, probably through strengthening the Wire Act and IGBA.

Individual states can opt out of any federal legalisation if a majority in both legislative bodies at state levels is achieved, and tribal groups can opt in to federal legalisation if their has also decided to participate.

There will be a new federal government organisation responsible for licensing and regulation titled Office of Online Poker Oversight and housed in the US Department of Commerce,

During a two year ‘black period’ only land-based US casino operators with existing licenses will be considered for online poker licenses, while online companies which continued to be active in the US market after the 2006 passage of the UIGEA will be excluded for 5 years.

Federal tax of 16 percent is proposed: 14 percent going to individual states and tribes that have opted in, and 2 percent to federal coffers for regulation and licensing cost.

It is proposed to drawn up a white list of licensed operators and the financial institutes will be required to block transactions with non-listed companies. At the same time heavy fines and forfeiture measures would be prescribed for unlawful operators.

Comments are closed.

Top Poker Sites

Win Palace Poker

Win Palace Poker
Win Palace chooses Real Time Gaming for ther software. WinPalace welcomes new players to their exclusive casino with $1000 CASH! Plus a huge 200% bonus (up to $500) not only on your first but 2nd deposit too! ...

Play Now

Winner Poker

Winner Poker
Winner Poker has the support of Playtech Software, allowing players to experience great poker games online. Players at Winner Poker can enjoy Sit n Go, Daily Freerolls plus new players get 100% match bonus of up to $500....

Play Now

Sun Poker

Sun Poker
$500 New Player Deposit Bonus New Player to can receive up to a whopping $500 in free online poker money from your first 90 days of poker play, 100% bonus up to $500! SunPoker is your online place to play poker. You won't find anything like that in a land based poker room. ...

Play Now

Noble Poker

Noble Poker
At Noble Poker they like to get you going with a good start... sign up today and get up to $500 when you make your first deposit at Noble Poker! 100% Bonus...

Play Now

Celeb Poker

Celeb Poker
CelebPoker's New 100% up to $600 Deposit Bonus is an easy way to boost your bankroll, play today and get in the money! Plus you will receive a free token to try to grab a part of that $2500. ...

Play Now

Party Poker

Party Poker
Get your 100% welcome bonus, worth up to $/£/€100, when you join PartyPoker.com today....

Play Now

PokerTime

PokerTime
Get a 100% match bonus up to $200 when you join PokerTime! Make your first deposit with PokerTime and you will receive a 100% bonus up to $200! To redeem this bonus, all you need to do is play and earn poker points equal to 1 times the bonus amount...

Play Now

Poker Rewards

Poker Rewards
Another successful Microgaming Poker Room, Poker Rewards offers new players a 50% bonus of up to $200 FREE! ...

Play Now

Cool Hand Online Poker

Cool Hand Online Poker
At Cool Hand Online Poker - Get a €10 instant match bonus on your 1st successful deposit! Do you play poker for entertainment? Want to grow your skills and build confidence? Would you prefer your bankroll to last longer? If YES, Play Poker with Cool Hand Online Poker! ...

Play Now

Villento

Villento
Villento Casino is one of the latest products of Micro gaming’s casino websites. Apart from sporting some of the best features of online casinos, Villento Casino is also regarded as one of the best online gaming portals around....

Play Now

Contributors

We recommend