After revealing earlier this month that he’d received the yellow light for his internet poker bill, the first details are emerging about Rep Joe Barton’s bill. In a document seen by CalvinAyre.com, “The Internet Gambling Prohibition, Poker Consumer Protection, and Strengthening UIGEA Act of 2011,” puts forward a number of suggestions for the future of the iGaming in the US.
In drafting the bill, Congress published a number of findings. These include the fact that the UIGEA has only been partially successful in its enforcement efforts against unlawful Internet gambling. It also identifies the many uncertainties that exist when it comes to US gaming laws. It makes the recommendation that additional tools should be made available to assist law enforcement agencies in order to prevent unlawful activities that will include a list of unlicensed operators.
Further findings look at the fact that poker is essentially a game determined by skill and how it’s different to any class of game traditionally identified as gambling. It states that regulation would be good for the consumers as long as there were effective means to stop minors playing online, identification and help for problems gamblers, the chance for players to self-exclude and limit losses and that the bill would prevent money laundering. It states that such a program would create a new industry and means thousands of jobs and tax revenue for Federal and State governments.
We will have more in depth analysis on the bill right here on the tablog later today. So watch this space!
