Internet Gambling to be Discussed in House Financial Services Committee

On Thursday, internet gambling will take center stage in the House Financial Services Committee. A hearing to be held at 10:00am ET in Room 2128 of the Rayburn House Office Building will discuss two bills that could change the landscape of the industry in the United States.

Although an official list of witnesses has not yet been announced at press time, Poker News Daily can confirm that National Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director Keith Whyte will speak during the proceedings. Whyte told us that he received his formal invitation Wednesday morning and is looking forward to discussing the issue in front of the Committee tomorrow. A press release distributed by the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative (SSIGI) on Wednesday added, “Top experts are expected to describe how existing systems and technologies have proven successful in blocking minors from gambling online, combating compulsive gambling, and protecting consumers against money laundering, fraud, and identity theft.”

SSIGI spokesperson Michael Waxman commented that his organization is looking forward to a well-rounded discussion that could lead to one of two internet gambling bills being marked up and passed: “This hearing will provide further evidence on the ability to effectively regulate internet gambling and require licensed operators to utilize already-proven technologies to protect consumers. It’s expected this hearing will answer any outstanding questions and pave the way for a vote in the committee on Chairman Frank’s legislation.” Thursday’s hearing marks the first major discussion of internet gambling in the House Financial Services Committee in over a year and is expected to last around two hours.

At issue will be HR 2266 and HR 2267, both introduced by Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA). The former, dubbed the Reasonable Prudence in Regulation Act, delays mandatory compliance with the regulations of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) by one year. Despite compliance being delayed by six months last week, a Committee spokesperson told Poker News Daily that HR 2266 would still be discussed on Thursday. The bill claims 53 co-sponsors.

Also to be discussed is HR 2267, Frank’s Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act. The measure, which was introduced on the same day in May as HR 2266, establishes a full licensing and regulatory framework for internet gambling companies to accept real money wagers from U.S. customers. It boasts 63 co-sponsors on both sides of the aisle and is Frank’s latest attempt to undo the effects of the UIGEA, which was passed into law in 2006.

Poker Players Alliance (PPA) Executive Director John Pappas told Poker News Daily that markup of HR 2266 or HR 2267 could be scheduled within one week of the hearing, although it would be contingent on the Committee’s calendar. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been focusing their efforts on a faltering economy and major health care reform, the latter of which could come with a $1 trillion price tag. A study by the Joint Committee on Taxation revealed that up to $42 billion over a 10-year period could be reaped by taxing the internet gambling industry at a rate of 2% of deposits pursuant to Congressman Jim McDermott’s (D-WA) HR 2268.

Waxman put the hearing in perspective: “Coupled with last week’s decision by the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve to delay UIGEA implementation, this hearing further builds the case for Congress to rewrite U.S. gambling laws. It’s simply common sense to override the UIGEA, a poorly conceived law that is doomed to fail, and replace it with a framework that regulates a thriving underground marketplace to protect consumers and collect billions in otherwise lost revenue.” Despite the UIGEA, traffic on the USA-facing site Full Tilt Poker, according to a recent report released by PokerScout.com, is up 127% year over year.

We’ll have a complete recap of the hearing right here on Poker News Daily.

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