Home / Poker News July 2013 / Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013 Introduced
Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013 Introduced
Posted by: Jo Martin - Fri, 2013-07-12 05:32
With the
2013 World Series of Poker in full swing, it is easy to get distracted and not keep an eye on the general picture, but lawmakers seeking to legalize and regulate online poker in the US are apparently not distracted at all. Rep. Joe Barton has introduced a new bill aimed at making the legalization of online poker by individual US states easier. The Internet Poker Freedom Act of 2013 (HR2666) is primarily aimed at allowing individual US states to opt out from under the Federal regulatory framework which is currently quite ambiguous in regards to the legal status of online poker, and to pursue their own path to legalization and regulation.
In addition to that, HR 2666 scores several home runs in other respects as well. For starters, it fully recognizes the United States versus Lawrence DiCristina ruling, which upheld the status of poker as a game of skill. With that, it is safe to say that Joe Barton's bill is essentially built on the premise that poker is a game of skill rather than one of chance.
HR 2666 also recognizes the potential economic benefits that the legalization of online poker could bring about for various US jurisdictions. When it comes to tribal matters, HR 2666 aims to walk the fine line of conciliation: it expressly states that US consumers would definitely benefit from regulated
online poker, an industry with a recognized interstate nature. It also stresses however that the prerogatives of federally recognized Indian tribes and States should be preserved at all cost.
The bill doesn't just stop at calling for regulation, it effectively puts forward a strict licensing path, addressing the issues of underage and problem gambling, as well as the exclusion of players from non-participating states. Money-laundering and self exclusion are of course also discussed. Unlike other similar past initiatives, HR 2666 actually calls for strengthening of the 2006 UIGEA, in regards to games other than poker of course.
Full Tilt Poker has always been the best destination for high stakes online poker cash game action.
