One More Sponsor for Barney Frank’s Bill
Barney Frank’s Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act, more commonly known as HR 2267 or the anti-UIGEA Bill, was introduced almost a year ago. Additional support is now only trickling in, but any support is welcome. This week Ohio Democrat Charles Wilson became the 66th cosponsor of the bill. Wilson was elected to the House of Representatives only in November 2006, less than a month after the UIGEA was passed. Two other Ohio Representatives, Steve Driehaus and Tim Ryan, have already registered their support for the bill. Both are Democrats.
HR 2267, which is easily the most followed bill in the history of online gambling, has some star-studded support. Chairpersons of important House committees have already signed up as cosponsors. They include George Miller of the Committee On Education And Labor, John Conyers of the Committee Of The Judiciary, Charles Rangel of The Committee On Ways And Means and Edolphus Towns of the Committee On Oversight And Government Reform. Pete King, a Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee and Ron Paul, Vice-Chairman of the Oversight And Investigations Subcommittee, are other senior politicians who have thrown their weight behind Barney Frank.
Barney Frank and his supporters have up to June 1, 2010 to do what it takes to convert the HR 2267 into law. It is unlikely that the Treasury would grant further extension to the implementation of the UIGEA rules. However industry observers are hopeful that the bill will be passed and the UIGEA will be repealed. Frank has managed to gather bipartisan support and has steered the bill well so far without antagonizing any segment. The states are feeling the pinch of budget deficits and are keen to allow online gambling so that they can tax it. Therefore the outlook is bullish.
