New Comprehensive Online Gambling Bill Introduced at the Federal Level
This week a new bill that would regulate online gambling at the federal level was introduced, immediately spawning a flurry of commentary from lawmakers, the media, and fans of online poker chattering on Internet forums.
The bill, which is a comprehensive gambling bill that would, if approved, allow for a wide variety of online gambling options including online poker and classic casino games like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat, as well, was introduced by Republican Representative Peter King of New York.
Previous bill sought only to regulate poker
The most talked about proposed legislation of last year, at least as far as the gambling community was concerned, was the Reid/Kyl Bill. That bill, which failed in part because of a shortage of votes from GOP members, would only have allowed for the regulation of online poker and would have prohibited other forms of Internet wagering.
A co-sponsor of that bill, powerful NevadaSenator Harry Reid, has been one of online poker’s biggest proponents, which comes as little surprise considering that his home state would stand to benefit greatly were the game to be regulated at the federal level.
Nevada has already passed a law that allows Silver State residents to log onto real-money online poker sites so long as they are over the age of 21 and are located within Nevada’s borders when they place their bets.
Delaware and New Jersey have likewise enacted Internet gambling laws, however unlike in Nevada, those states will permit additional forms of betting aside from poker. Sites in those two states are expected to be up and running later on this fall.
Reid casts doubt on ability for bill to be passed
Reid was quoted in the Las Vegas Sun this week as being dubious about the potential for success for the new bill, or for any online gambling legislation, for that matter.
“I felt for several months now that I don’t see any movement on this,” Reid said.
“I don’t see anything happening,” he told the paper. “We’re still trying, but I’m not really confident we can get something done.”
For his part, Reid has said that he would like to see the Reid/Kyl bill resurrected, but he does not feel the political climate in Washington is conducive to its passage. Partisan bickering continues, with Washington DC remaining, as it has been for quite some time, in a stalemate over issues large and small.
Partisan Congress unlikely to pass comprehensive Internet gaming law
There are many pundits and gambling industry observers who share Senator Reid’s dismal outlook on for the future of online gambling legislation at the federal level. Given that Reid/Kyl, which was arguably more palatable to typically opposed-to-gambling GOP lawmakers due to its poker-only status, failed to gain much traction, a bill that is even more permissive will likely prove to be more divisive.
Congress will remain in session for the months of June in July, and will break in August for summer recess.
