Home / Poker News November 2008 / Online poker to be legalized sooner rather than later?
Online poker to be legalized sooner rather than later?
Posted by: James Carter. - Sun, 2008-11-30 12:58
With news of president elect Barack Obama filling up his team pouring in every day, one can only wonder what the next government’s stance is likely to be on online gambling and poker. Certainly, the poker community knows Obama as an avid player. He may be just that or he may not be, one thing is certain though: he is definitely not as biased against online gaming as the outgoing administration.
His reply to an address sent to him by the PPA when he was still a senator was a very diplomatic one. He avoided taking a clearly defined position on the matter of the UIGEA, but he didn’t pledge any sort of support towards legalizing online gaming either.
In reality, even though the President’s own attitude will probably come into play as well, the change that may bring about the long awaited legalization of this traditionally American pastime may come from an altogether different direction.
The fact that New Mexico Governor, Bill Richardson lost the Secretary of State position to Hillary Clinton may be seen as a slap across the face of a loyal grunt, in reality however analysts view it as a blessing in disguise for online poker related interests.
The set of measures aimed at revitalizing the economy set forth by the Obama team will desperately need new sources of revenue. On one hand, the infrastructure programs announced by Obama will need serious funding, on the other hand, the spiraling debt needs to be kept under control. These won’t be times when a source of potentially huge revenue can and will be overlooked.
Past governments have traditionally resorted to taxing tobacco and alcohol products (the so called “sin” tax), at times when they needed quick and efficient revenue flow. Those areas however have pretty much been pushed to the limit already, as related businesses find it harder and harder to keep up the pace. According to experts, the Richardson, Barney Frank and Ron Paul team will tap into the online gaming revenue sooner rather than later, for the lack of other options if for no other reason. Add to that the fact that Frank has been a long time supporter of legal online gaming and you have a perfect storm brewing.
This is the good news. The bad news is, if online gaming is indeed legalized, there are bound to be some pretty restrictive taxes and the operating rules will most probably be tightened as well.
