Democrats May Lose Support If Online Gambling Bill Is Not Passed

Democratic leaders have for four years been championing the cause to overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. Although leaders such as Representative Barney Frank have appeared as allies to the industry of millions of Americans, they have done nothing to change the laws.

As the new election cycle comes into full swing, Rep. Frank and other Democrats are up against the wall on overturning the UIGEA. Frank has proposed legislation that has made it through the House financial services Committee, but he has yet to advance the bill to the House floor, and he acknowledges that may not happen before the mid-term election.

"I'm not optimistic," said Frank in an interview with The Hill, when speaking about the prospects of H.R. 2267 passing this session. It would be another delay and one that may start costing the Democrats votes in November.

For years, Democrats have held the vote of millions of online poker players that had hoped that by supporting these officials, the current laws would be changed. With nothing getting done, some supporters of Frank and other Democrats may turn their attention to the economy.

"If the economy is taking center stage and the Democrats do not have time to fit in our agenda of changing the online poker laws, then I am going to have to reassess who I vote for in the upcoming election," said Maury Bell. "It has been a frustrating four years, and I'm not going to allow them (Democrats) to hold my vote hostage any more on the hope that they might make my issue a priority."

This November, the Democrats are faced with the possibility of losing the majority in both the House and the Senate. The Senate majority appears more stable, with the Tea Party candidates likely to cost Republicans the majority in the chamber.

In the House, however, there is a real possibility that the Democrats would lose control. if that occurs, the chances of the UIGEA being overturned in the next two years would be slim. Even with bi-partisan support, it is likely that Rep. Spencer Bacchus and anti-online gambling regulation lawmakers would keep Frank's bill from passing.

There is still a chance that during the lame duck session that Frank's bill gains steam. There also is the possibility that the Democrats attach Frank's bill to a jobs creation bill before the November election. If that does not happen, it could mean the balance of power will shift in the House with thousands of people in the US possibly switching their allegiances during the election.

September 23, 2010
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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