Online Gambling Battle Will Heat Up In Coming Weeks

This could be a big week for those involved in the online gambling industry. Long awaited legislation from Representative Barney Frank to overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act is expected, and many believe this will be the week it arrives.

Anti-gambling advocates have been rallying their troops in recent months in anticipation of Frank's legislation. The UIGEA was put in place back in 2006, and has become a major topic on Capital Hill since.

Frank already has attempted to have the UIGEA overturned, but failed back in 2007. Now, with a new administration and a stronger Democratic presence in Congress, Frank is preparing to try again. He not only wants the law overturned, but also wants regulations for Internet gambling in the future.

"I'd be amazed if it didn't happen over the next two or three years," said Clive Hawksgood, Chief Executive of the Remote Gambling Association, as reported in The New York Times, "It's just a question of what exactly the regulations will say.

While most believe that Internet gambling is inevitable in a market as large as the US, others are not conceding to a change in the current laws. The opposition groups have been working furiously preparing their campaign against any changes to the UIGEA.

"People may think that just because Frank has more people on his side in Congress that this law is just going to go away," said observer Tommy Brown, "But there are many powerful groups that are going to aggressively oppose any new legislation on the Internet gambling issue."

April 26, 2009
Posted By Larry Rutherford
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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