Members of U.S. Congress Ban Together to Bring Down UIGEA

United States Congressman Barney Frank's efforts to have the prohibition on online gambling lifted will probably be supported by both Conservatives and Liberals. Republican Congressman Ron Paul and Democrat Barney Frank, together introduced H.R. 5767 in 2008. Known as the Payment Systems Protection Act, it was a bill that sought to place a moratorium on enforcement of the UIGEA until the Federal Reserve and the United States Treasury Department could come up with a definition for unlawful Internet gambling. This effort on the part of Representative Frank, who himself is a non gambler, has made him a hero to poker players and online gamblers alike.

It is the opinion of Republican Alphonse D'Amato, the ex-Senator from New York that both Republicans and Democrats will work to gain passage of the bill which will allow for regulated online gambling in the United States.

D'Amato is presently the chairman of the Poker Players Alliance. It is his belief that that conservatives will gave their support to Congressman Frank's bill. This will be based both on libertarian reasons and as an effective protection for both children and problem gamblers. According to Mr. D'Amato the original ban was put in place to protect consumers but that it has in reality failed to do so and that it is in actually unenforceable.
D'Amato is among many prominent Republicans who have enthusiastically pressed for online gambling regulation and licensing. Libertarian Ron Paul, who is a Republican congressman from Texas, has joined forces with Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, who is currently the chairman of FreedomWorks. They have both called for an end to the current ban. Texas Representative Pete Sessions last year also tried to introduce his own version of a bill to seek clarification of the government’s prohibition.

According to Mr. D’Amato the ideal of Internet freedom, is one with the ideals of small government, and personal responsibility. These together mirror those of the conservatives in America. It is his belief that Congress is now prepared to do the right thing, and not particularly the political thing. According to D’Amato that means using taxation, licensing and Internet online gambling regulation to protect Internet freedom and the public interest rather than prohibition.

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