Lobbying effort for Frank bill grows

[jetset]

UK COMPANIES HIRE US LOBBYISTS FOR ONLINE GAMBLING GRASS ROOTS CAMPAIGN

Educating legislators and the public alike on safe and secure Internet gambling

The efforts of Congressman Barney Frank and other US politicians to introduce legalised and regulated online gambling to the United States (see previous InfoPowa reports) will receive a further boost this week by the news that two U.K.-based companies are planning a grassroots campaign in favour of legislation to regulate the multi-billion-dollar industry.

The Washington publication "The Hill" reports that the UC Group, a payment-services company with effective technology to verify the age and geographic location of gamblers, has teamed up with international accounting firm Baker Tilly to launch the “Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative” in America.

The companies, which already work to provide back-office and payments services to Internet businesses in a range of sectors, have hired lobbying firm Alston & Bird LLP to push the Frank legislation, introduced last month. Alston & Bird has contracted another lobbying firm, Downey McGrath Group, to aid in the effort.

“The [Safe and Secure Internet Gambling] Initiative is both to educate parts of the public as well as to garner grassroots support from other companies, organizations and individuals for the legislation,” the initiative’s spokesman, Jeff Sandman of Hyde Park Communications, said.

Congressman Frank, who is the chairman of the influential House Financial Services Committee has proposed that a system of licensing and regulation be introduced, overseen by a unit of the U.S. Treasury, which would be required to guard against underage and compulsive gambling as well as money laundering. Individual states, professional sports leagues and college athletics organisations have the option of staying out of the regulatory regime in a move seen as necessary to ease the passage of the bill.

In addition to systems that pinpoint the age and location of bettors, the UC Group has technology to detect compulsive gambling and money laundering, making it well suited to flourish under the regulatory scheme proposed by Frank. The company currently sells such systems to a number of clients around the world, Sandman said.

The law on online gambling remains murky. A handful of states have banned online betting in any form. In 2002, a federal appeals court ruled that it is illegal to transmit information for sports betting across state lines, but affirmed that federal law does not prohibit placing online bets on “games of chance.” Meanwhile, lower courts have ruled that it is illegal to own a sports-betting operation that caters to U.S. citizens.

Last fall, Congress passed a law barring the use of credit cards for online bets but exempted horse racing, state lotteries and fantasy sports.

UC Group has been lobbying Congress on Internet gambling since the spring of 2005, filings show. Last year, the company submitted testimony to a House subcommittee on the issue. According to Sandman, it was among several companies that met with Frank and other members of Congress to discuss the various safeguards that could be implemented under regulated online gambling.

A leading international accountancy, Baker Tilly hired Alston & Bird to lobby on the issue in February. The firm has about 7 000 U.K. clients and boasts more than $2 billion in revenues.

Consumers will be among the primary beneficiaries of regulated online gambling, Sandman argues. They will have systems
“to make sure that their financial transactions are being processed safely and securely,” he said.

UC Group and Baker Tilly envision a “comprehensive grassroots effort” in support of the Frank regulatory regime, and the companies have set up a website at www.safeandsecureig.com .

The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative is a company-led effort in favour of a controversial pastime. That would be a novel use of grassroots tactics, according to Jeffrey Oldham, a senior vice president at Direct Impact, a consultancy that specialises in grassroots mobilization.

“This is the first time I’ve heard of grassroots being used for a non-traditional issue,” he said. “I think it will be interesting to see whether members of Congress will listen.”

Congressman Frank has repeatedly said that public support for his initiative - specifically by US citizens communicating with political representatives on the issue - is a critical element in his strategy.

[dominique]

Very positive!!!!

[jetset]

MORE SPONSORS FOR FRANK BILL

25 politicians now on board for regulating online gambling in the USA

There's still a long political haul ahead, but Congressman Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and author of Bill HR 2046 which seeks to license and regulate online gambling in the United States, is using his considerable experience and legislative clout to continue building support for his proposal.

Towards the end of June Congressional representative Don Young of Alaska gave his support, followed by James McGovern from Massachusetts' 3rd District, and Alcee L. Hastings from Florida's 23rd District

So far the following politicians have signed up to support the Frank bill, which calls for online gambling in the United States to be taxed and regulated by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

Alcee L. Hastings
Don Young
Gary L. Ackerman
Howard L. Berman
James McGovern
Julia Carson
Joseph Crowley
Bob Filner
Luis V. Gutierrez
Peter T. King
Jim McDermott
James McGovern
Charlie Melancon
Ed Perlmutter
Linda T Sanchez
Melvin L. Watt
Shelly Berkley
Michael Capuano
Wm. Lacy Clay
Steve Israel
Carolyn McCarthy
Ron Paul [TX-14]
Ciro D. Rodriguez
Edolphus Towns
Robert Wexler

Frank's aides have repeatedly said that interested parties calling their political representatives with expressions of support for the Frank bill were having a positive effect in encouraging politicians to re-examine the implications of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and the alternatives which HR 2046 presents.

Increasing disquiet at the number of countries at odds with the United States's online gambling related policies and tactics at the World Trade Organisation make this an opportune time for US voters to press their political representatives to oppose the UIGEA. So far, the 27 nation European Union, Japan, Canada, China, China Taipei, Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico and Antigua and Barbuda, which started this action almost four years ago, have applied pressure to the USA (see previous InfoPowa reports).

[Casinomeister]

US players need to click here and contact their reps:
http://www.casinomeister.com/US_congress.php

[GGW Laurie]

i urge every other american to do the same on this forum let your voices and votes be heard

[Mousey]

From the Miami Herald

MY VIEW
Online gambling issue is matter of personal freedom
BY LOUIS ARCHAMBAULT
Special to The Miami Herald
Like countless other responsible, adult Americans, I enjoy spending some leisure time playing online poker. Likewise, as an American poker player, I have been riveted to unfolding events in Congress as they relate to my hobby, since the game I enjoy, which was created in this country, is under attack.

A brief history lesson. In 2006, due in part to the Jack Abramoff scandal, Congress passed The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (the ''UIGE''). (Interestingly, Jack Abramoff would have supported this bill since it accomplished exactly what he had lobbied Congress to do by exempting domestic, online lotteries, but I digress.) The UIGE is a very vague and poorly written attempt at prohibiting online gambling, including poker, by restricting the flow of funds to gambling websites. However, due to an increasingly public outcry against the UIGE, there are a number of bills that have been introduced .......

[silcnlayc]

Just read this...Internet gambling community for US legalized online gambling legislation

Online Gambling Dispute is still a hot issue, for the United States, the WTO, Antigua and Barbuda, and it is going to intensify even more.

In a letter to the United States Congress, meant to counter-act the lobbying Casino Gambling Web has done on behalf of the American people, Focus on the Family and other religious groups attacked the Internet gambling community, claiming all online casino operators are money launderers and/or terrorists, and/or supporters of terrorism.

"Internet gambling... creates fertile ground for criminal activity and threatens homeland security by potentially funding terrorist activity," the letter reads.

This idea that online gambling threatens homeland security is outrageous and slanderous, not to mention insulting to the hard working people who work at these companies, most of which are legitimate and publicly traded in their respective countries.

More importantly, there is no proof behind these outrageous claims, they are just thoughts worked up in the vivid imaginations of the religious fundamentalists based on outdated stereotypes of shady gambling parlors run by the Mafia in the mid to early twentieth century.

In their letter to the United States Congress the religious groups point out that millions of Americans gamble online every year. They feel this is the reason it needs to be banned, however, this is the exact reason why it is considered a prohibition. By banning Internet gambling in the United States the government has forbade an activity participated in by the masses.

As a side note, the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920's was strongly supported by the Ku Klux Klan. Would it be fair to associate the religious fundamentalists pushing for the 21st century form of prohibition with the Ku Klux Klan, as they associate all gambling entities with terrorists?

Focus on the Family also points out in their letter to Congress that the United States is in discord with the World Trade Organization, so much so that the WTO ruled against the United States in a case brought against them by the tiny island nation of Antigua. The religious groups believe the US has the right to disobey the WTO ruling and emphasizes in their letter that the US should not back down to the WTO and continue to disregard International trade laws.

To further point out the reasons why Internet gambling should be made and kept illegal Chad Hills, Focus on the Family's seemingly fictitious in-house gambling analyst said, "There are well over 800 commercial and tribal casinos, alongside 42 state lotteries saturating our nation's landscape."

On their gambling information page they go on to say that, "Gambling has attained unprecedented levels of acceptance, glamorzation, and popularity in the United States. Once confined to the remote desert region of Nevada, gambling, in one form or another, is now legal in 48 of the 50 states. Utah and Hawaii remain the only exceptions."

Ironically, that is the same point pro-Internet gambling lobbyists are giving as to why the online industry should be legalized. It is also the reason the WTO ruled against the US in the case brought upon them by Antigua.

Antigua says... 'You say it's for moral reasons that you ban online gambling, yet you allow gambling in 48 states.'

WTO says.. 'Yeah, that's not right, you guys can't do that.'

US says... 'We are a superpower, we can do whatever we want to do.'

Religious groups say... 'Right on US!'

In conclusion, the letter Focus on the Family, who teamed up with several other religious groups to write, only reinforces all the reasons why the United States should legalize, regulate, and tax Internet gambling.

Once again we must thank Focus on the Family for uniting the Internet gambling community and giving legalized online gambling legislation currently on the table the final push it needs to pass.
http://www.gamblinggates.com/news/ca...ion-14013.html

[jetset]

GRAB YOUR POLITICIANS AT HOME!

PPA hints on turning the Congressional recess to advantage

Former Senator and Poker Players' Alliance chairman Alfonse D'Amato knows his way around the Washington political calendar, and this week came up with some interesting ideas to turn the autumn recess of the US Congress into an opportunity for online gamblers to let their representatives know how they feel about online gambling regulation.

In a letter to the almost 700 000 members of the Alliance this week. D'Amato said:

"Dear Fellow PPA Member:

"Thanks to your efforts, we have made tremendous progress in our fight to protect the rights of poker players. More than 40 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have committed to clarifying federal laws to preserve your ability to play poker online. But we still need your help to get the attention of every U.S. Representative.

"Congress is in recess for August and your Representative will be returning home to host local events and town hall meetings. These are great opportunities to tell them that poker is not a crime and to support H.R. 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act and H.R. 2610, the Skill Game Protection Act.

"Here's how to find out when these events are happening:

"Get the phone number of your U.S. Representative's hometown office by clicking here [a PPA information page} and entering your ZIP Code. Call to ask when and where these events are taking place in the month of August.

"Go to one of these events and bring your fellow poker players. Tell your U.S. Representative that poker is not a crime and to co-sponsor H.R. 2046 and H.R. 2610 when they return to Washington. Let them know that you will support them if they support the rights of law-abiding poker players.

"Thank you for being an "August Advocate" for the Poker Players Alliance."

The chairman justifiably signs himself "Proud to Play Poker." Senator Al D'Amato

The negative side of letters.....

But the good Senator was not the only one sending out letters this week - the state of Utah was taking a more negative route, corresponding with online poker players in the state to remind them that they could be in violation of state laws.

State enforcement officials obtained names and addresses of Utah online players from databases recovered from companies involved in a major $150 million bust earlier this year which led to seven citizens and four companies being charged with felonies by a grand jury in Salt Lake City.

Companies facing charges are CurrenC Ltd., also known as CurrenC WorldWide Ltd., based in the British Virgin Islands; Gateway Technologies LLC, based in Draper, Utah; Hill Financial Services Inc., based in Draper, Utah, and Las Vegas.

The state of Utah is one of the few in the United States that frowns upon any forms of gambling, and this extends even to state lotteries.

[Mousey]

But the good Senator was not the only one sending out letters this week - the state of Utah was taking a more negative route, corresponding with online poker players in the state to remind them that they could be in violation of state laws.

State enforcement officials obtained names and addresses of Utah online players from databases recovered from companies involved in a major $150 million bust earlier this year which led to seven citizens and four companies being charged with felonies by a grand jury in Salt Lake City.

Companies facing charges are CurrenC Ltd., also known as CurrenC WorldWide Ltd., based in the British Virgin Islands; Gateway Technologies LLC, based in Draper, Utah; Hill Financial Services Inc., based in Draper, Utah, and Las Vegas.

The state of Utah is one of the few in the United States that frowns upon any forms of gambling, and this extends even to state lotteries.

That's the kind of bull$hit that frightens me. Intimidation, coercion, then.... what? ... extortion? Pay us $X and tell us all you know, or we'll prosecute?

Don't laugh... it worked for the DoJ against NETeller.

I seriously doubt that it was only poker players that Utah is contacting. Anyone receives a letter concerning their online play, we'd love to see it.

[jetset]

U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BACKS ONLINE GAMBLING REGULATION

Republican Congressman describes UIGEA as "an outrageous affront" to personal freedom

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul has thrown his support behind Congressman Barney Frank's legislative proposal to regulate and license online gambling in the United States, according to official Congressional sources.

Frank's Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act has been steadily gathering support and if adopted will largely neutralise the controversial Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act passed last year, which prohibits financial transactions with online gambling companies except those involved with horserace betting, fantasy sports and state lotteries.

Describing the UIGEA as an "outrageous affront to individual freedom" Congressman Paul emphasised the importance of respecting the American peoples' right to decide for themselves whether or not they gamble online.

"I believe strongly that the Internet should not be regulated by the Federal Government and believe even more strongly that people should be free to engage in the activities they wish as long as they are willing to take responsibility for their actions," Paul has been quoted as saying.

The Congressman, who is currently serving his tenth Congressional term represents Texas voters and hails from Lake Jackson.

Frank's Bill HR2046 seeks to establish a federal regulatory and enforcement framework to license and monitor online gambling companies. It has won the support of the 700 000 strong Poker Players' Alliance and some 35 Congressional Representatives so far, although the proposal still has a long road to travel.

Congressman Frank and other politicians have repeatedly stressed how important it is for American voters to contact their Congressional representatives to indicate their support for the regulation of online gambling rather than its prohibition.