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On the second to last day of the 2008 Congressional session before the August recess in the United States, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing. Its goal was to discuss a resolution to place Karl Rove in contempt as well as discuss 12 bills for mark up. One of the bills on the agenda was HR 2140, the Internet Gambling Study Act, which was proposed by Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-NV). The hearing did not go as planned, however, with the Committee taking most of its time to discuss Rove, who was eventually found to be in contempt. Consequently, Berkley’s bill was not debated. On Thursday, Congress adjourned for the August recess, meaning the online poker world will have to wait until September in order for this, or any, piece of legislation to be discussed.

Poker Players Alliance Executive Director John Pappas commented to PocketFives.com, “We knew the bill was scheduled to come up, but probably wouldn’t be voted on. It was a combination of other priorities of the House Judiciary Committee and that they weren’t 100% confident of the vote count.” Berkley’s bill calls for a one-year study of the effects of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act as well as the feasibility of regulating this immense industry in the United States. The bill was proposed last May and has racked up the most co-sponsors of any piece of internet gambling legislation so far, with 73.

Though the PPA has HR 2140 listed on its website and links to information and news surrounding the Internet Gambling Study Act, the main lobbying arm for the online poker industry does not specifically endorse it. Pappas and company are encouraged by it, as investigating internet gambling is a step in the right direction from its current state of prohibition, but a study is not necessarily prudent. Pappas commented, “We support the legislation, but it’s never been a priority of ours. We believe that this issue has been studied. Developed countries have already begun to regulate internet gambling.”

Click here to read more:
Online Poker Scene – Mark Up of Online Poker Legislation on Hold

Author Contact Info: Dan Cypra, PocketFives.com

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