NEW BID TO LEGALISE ONLINE POKER
7 August 2009
New Jersey Democrat to launch new bill
Thursday
A new bid to license and regulate online poker will be
launched today (Thursday) by New Jersey Democrat,
Senator Robert Menendez, a member of the senator's staff
told the Dow Jones news service this week.
The
proposal - S 8309, the Internet Poker and Games of Skill
Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act -
seeks to create a regulatory framework allowing online
poker companies to register in the U.S. and subject to
taxation and stringent regulation that includes consumer
protections relating particularly to age verification,
fair gaming, the prevention of fraud and money
laundering, and problem gambling. There will also be
requirements to ensure that the player is logging in
from a jurisdiction where gambling is legal.
Taxation provisions of 10 percent on all deposits made
by players to gambling sites are envisaged, with the
proceeds split evenly between the state and federal
governments.
One of the most vocal proponents of
lifting the online gambling ban is the banking industry.
Banks say the existing rules don't define what types of
gambling are illegal, leaving them unsure whether to
reject individual transactions. In some parts of the
country, for example, betting on horse racing is legal,
but in others it isn't, reports Dow Jones.
The
difference between the Menendez bill and HR2267
introduced in May this year by Representative Barney
Frank is that the former applies only to online poker
and other "games of skill," while Frank's legislation
aims to regulate other forms of gambling, including
sports betting and online casino action.
Both
bills have been careful to respect the rights of
individual states when it comes to gambling laws
autonomy.
UPDATE:
Senator Menendez
introduced his bill , and was applauded by Poker Players
Alliance chairman, former Senator Alfonse D'Amato, who
said: "The PPA is pleased that Senator Menendez chose to
introduce his bill to license and regulate Internet
poker and include additional consumer protections. His
continued support for protecting the Internet freedoms
of poker players specifically, and Americans generally,
is greatly appreciated.
"Today's action by
Senator Menendez is yet another powerful step towards
protecting Internet freedom, protecting consumers and
protecting online poker. On behalf of the members of the
PPA and online poker players nationwide, I thank Senator
Menendez for his leadership on this important issue."
Key provisions of the bill include:
•
Creation of a registry of unlicensed online gambling
operators that will strengthen enforcement efforts of
truly unlawful gambling;
• Mandatory
implementation of technologies to protect against
underage gambling and to monitor and detect individuals
with excessive gaming habits;
• Dedicated funding
to develop and implement prevention and treatment
programs for problem gamblers;
• Mechanisms to
collect the billions of dollars in tax revenue that is
currently being lost; and
• Clarification of the
Wire Act to create consistency in how online gambling
activities, such as horse race betting, are treated
under Federal law.
Online Casino News Courtesy of
Infopowa
More news here.
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