Amended Frank Gambling Bill Passes Committee Through Official Vote
The first step in attempting to pass legislation through the United States Congress typically lies in the subcommittees of the branch of congress in which the bill had originated. In the case of Barney Frank’s Internet gambling bill, HR 2267 or the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act, it had begun its trek through Congress in the House Financial Services Committee.
As of July 28th, 2010, HR 2267 has successfully made its way through the House Financial Services Committee, receiving an official vote of 41 ayes and 22 nays.
The bill had not been passed, however, without some amending.
One major amendment submitted by Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA) made it so the bill would include text making it so any person or entity applying for licensing will be ruled out in the event that they had previously violated state or federal gambling laws. This would exempt many of the current online gambling operators.
Many of the amendments to the gambling bill were put in place in order to protect the players, especially underage gamblers. Amongst the amendments were those that would prohibit unethical marketing practices. An additional amendment was added in order to prevent players from using credit cards to fund their account. Debit and prepaid cards would still be allowed.
The current version of HR 2267 has also cut sports betting out from regulation, which would ultimately make USA online sportsbooks illegal if passed as is.
The official roll-call vote passed the bill almost 2-to-1, despite repeated attempts at downplaying the profitability and safety of online gambling. The main opponent to the bill was Representative Spencer Bachus (R-AL). Mr. Bachus repeatedly pushed the proposition that children would be placed in harm’s way by legalizing online gambling, suggesting that they are a main target of the current operators of online gambling websites.
Due to controls by current online gambling entities it is essentially impossible for underage gamblers to get into the games.
Both online casinos and online poker rooms would be legalized and regulated under this bill.
While USA online gambling is done with the first committee, there are still several steps before it will go to the House and even more roadblocks before it will reach the president’s desk for his signature.
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