Will the industry engage in the U.S. political process this time?

[sdaddy]

I recall reading on this forum and elsewhere all the recriminations over the online casino industry's failure to lobby the U.S. Congress prior to the passage of the UIGEA.

Well, the latest reports are that Rep. Barney Frank could introduce legislation repealing the UIGEA as soon as mid-April.

My question is, will the industry make an effort to significantly engage in the legislative process this time, or will it be sitting on the sidelines again? Is there anything going on behind the scenes that we have not been reading about?

[dominique]

The industry has always lobbied strongly.

This is done behind closed doors and needs to be that way.

The lobby lost a lot when BOS was drawn out of the equation, the sports sector got spooked and quit.

That is what made the passage of the law possible. Good planning on the part of the DOJ.

The lobbies continue to be strong, and they have refocussed.

The only organization lobbying publicly is the poker players. That is because they are riding on player support. You should give it to them, it matters.

[sdaddy]

^That's good to hear that lobbying efforts are in the works. I just hope it's adequate this time to fight the special interests wanting to keep the UIGEA in place, which, according the the recent USA Today article, spent around $25 million pushing their agenda in the last congress.

The only organization lobbying publicly is the poker players. That is because they are riding on player support. You should give it to them, it matters.

Honestly, as a non-poker player, I've got mixed feelings getting behind groups like the PPA. I commend their organizational effort, but I think that their narrow focus on adding a "carve-out" exception to the UIGEA is selling out the interests of other players. That's why I was glad to hear that Rep. Frank opted to go for a full repeal of the UIGEA over the wishes of the PPA.

[dominique]

Frank represents the banking interests, not the gambling interests.

They just happen to be the same at the time....

I know what you mean about the Poker guys following their own agenda. It bugs me too.

[yameater]

Frank represents the banking interests, not the gambling interests.

They just happen to be the same at the time....

I know what you mean about the Poker guys following their own agenda. It bugs me too.

Not quite true. If you listen to Frank's speech in the House, he emphsizes that it is ridiculous to outlaw what adults do in their own homes. He states that it is like prohibition and it never works." Just because college students drink too much, should we ban all alcohol ?" he asks. I get the feeling Barney has spun the wheel a few times himself,or gone "all in", and perhaps he likes it.

[nielsenj]

I sincerly hope that the online casino industry does a better job lobbying after the UIGEA than they did before the passing of the UIEGA. The industry underestimated the anti-gambling forces in the US enourmously and now they are paying for it. They never thought that serious anti-gambling legislation could be passed and they did not believe that anti-gambling laws would be enforced as hard as they have. Hopefully the passing of the UIEGA has been a wakeup call.

[sdaddy]

I sincerly hope that the online casino industry does a better job lobbying after the UIGEA than they did before the passing of the UIEGA. The industry underestimated the anti-gambling forces in the US enourmously and now they are paying for it. They never thought that serious anti-gambling legislation could be passed and they did not believe that anti-gambling laws would be enforced as hard as they have. Hopefully the passing of the UIEGA has been a wakeup call.

Very well put.

[lots0]

I would not hold too much hope for Rep Barney Frank's bill to go anywhere.

The sad fact of the matter is that Rep Frank is one of three openly Gay members of Congress. Not sad because Rep Frank is Gay, sad because his sexual preference DOES matter in the halls of Congress...

3 openly Gay members of Congress out of 435...

The odds for Rep Frank passing any bill into law without overwhelming support from the Democratic leadership is about a Billion to .0001...

So far the Democratic Leadership has stayed quiet on this issue, which is a surprise as Senator Harry Reid (Senate Majority Leader) was raised in a very small desert town in Nevada where Gambling and Prostitution were the only local industry's around.

According to Senator Reid his Mother did laundry for the local whore houses to get by and his father was a miner... in town where mining died before Senator Harry Reid was born.

Some interesting people in politics...

[yameater]

I would not hold too much hope for Rep Barney Frank's bill to go anywhere.

The sad fact of the matter is that Rep Frank is one of three openly Gay members of Congress. Not sad because Rep Frank is Gay, sad because his sexual preference DOES matter in the halls of Congress...

3 openly Gay members of Congress out of 435...

The odds for Rep Frank passing any bill into law without overwhelming support from the Democratic leadership is about a Billion to .0001...

So far the Democratic Leadership has stayed quiet on this issue, which is a surprise as Senator Harry Reid (Senate Majority Leader) was raised in a very small desert town in Nevada where Gambling and Prostitution were the only local industry's around.

According to Senator Reid his Mother did laundry for the local whore houses to get by and his father was a miner... in town where mining died before Senator Harry Reid was born.

Some interesting people in politics...

Congressman Frank is quite effective really. He has 11 bills he has sponsored in the House since Feb. Two have passed, and the 9 others are under consideration, so he has the respect of his collegues. Plus, this issue should create more intense discussion this time since the repeal would not be piggy-backed onto another bill, as the cowards did when they passed the anti-gambling act in the first place under the Republican controlled congress. I for one plan on e-mailing him to offer my support of him for even considering the appeal.

[Itoldyouso]

The votes are not there in the senate to overturn it. And the President will Veto it! It's clear that America wants control of online gambling. And before they allow it. America will run it from their own shores.