No Mark Up for Frank’s Bill Yet

Although John Pappas, the Executive Director of the PPA (Poker Players Alliance) said at the WSOP (World Series of Poker) that there might have been a mark up this week of the online gambling bill HR 2267, this does not seem to be the case. Pappas had said that Barney Frank, the sponsor and author of the bill, who holds the position of the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, had hinted that this would be the case.

While the bill is indeed going to have another hearing, it has not been scheduled for mark up on that date. The date for the hearing is Wednesday this week, July 21st, and it has been scheduled for a half day, beginning after lunch time. Last time there was a hearing for the same bill, it was allocated for a full day session. The agenda for this hearing has been left undisclosed at this time, and the witness list had also not yet been issued.

Although there does not yet seem to be much that has been affected by the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) implementation, it is still early days, and the online gambling industry and their players would like things to move forward with the HR 2267 online gambling bill.

John Pappas said: “We appreciate Chairman Frank calling another hearing on HR 2267. We hope this is the final step toward an eventual vote in his committee on this legislation before the August recess. The PPA and the poker community stand ready to secure its passage.”

Although it is certainly positive that the bill for Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act is going to be back in the limelight, many would prefer that it would also move forward, and next month, because of the August recess that will be taking place, it is likely to mean further delays in the progress of the online gambling bill.

Joe Brennan, Jr., the Chairman of iMEGA (Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association) said: “The i-gaming lobby has been working too hard for too long. It deserves more than a hearing." He continued to say: "But, we’ll wait and see who will appear as witnesses. I’d like to see John Pappas finally get the opportunity to appear before the House Financial Services Committee and make the case for the players.”

Mr. Brennan also noted: “Hearings are nice; they keep the ball in the air. What’s needed are votes: committee votes, floor votes.”

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