Congressman Frank Joins Fight Against UIGEA

Filed in archive Internet Poker on March 31, 2007

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) has been the scourge of online poker's growth and acceptablity among the general public. The larger poker rooms have been running special tourneys, freerolls, and offering bonuses to sign up for the Poker Player's Alliance, an organization with the vision of having an online poker carve out (open for debate if this is the correct point of action) from the UIGEA to open the payment portals once again for those who love slinging virtual cards.

But, to get things done the right players from Washington need to be in place. Former Senator Al D'amato jumped on the PPA train to assist with the lobbying efforts. Sorely needed in the efforts to turn a few congressional heads towards online poker player's plights of having to go through multiple new funding efforts to transfer funds on and offline.

Enter current congressman Barney Frank who according to an article from Poker Player Magazine by Wendeen Eolis, he will head up an effort to attain the same carve-out of the UIGEA as received by the horse racing and lottery commissions. Below is part of the article outlining the congressman's efforts to start on April 18th:

Congressman Barney Frank assured me he will get beyond mere rhetoric and move swiftly against the "stupid" provisions of the UIGEA, which attempts to end online betting by American-based players. He has previously called the recent legislation one of the stupidest laws ever passed. Now he is fully focused on its affront to any freedom-loving citizen. This latter point makes him see red. It bodes well for online and commercial gaming interests who need a powerful advocate in the thick of the political maelstrom.

A seasoned member of the House of Representatives, Congressman Frank ascended to the Chairmanship of the House Financial Services Committee when the Democrats won control of the Chamber last December. He is smart and has significant clout to go with his fearless style of getting out front on issues, no matter how controversial. "A bill will be filed later this month," he says.

Frank's motto is "be prepared"

For the moment he is doing his homework, part of his well-known modus operandi. He explained that he is consulting widely before moving forward with the drafting of legislation which will include but not be limited to a poker carve out from UIGEA. While the Congressman has previously noted, publicly, that he has no plans to work with Alfonse D'Amato on this matter, the former Senator and recently elected Chairman of the Poker Players Alliance has told me, directly, that he and Mr. Frank have at least, "touched base during the past week."