Barney Frank's UIGEA busting online gambling law continues its journey through the Washington political maze and it looks like its gaining momentum.
The new law, which will repeal the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and offer a licensing and regulatory regime for online gambling operators is starting to garner significant heavyweight support. This week, the bill gained the support of four new co-sponsors - Californian Rep. Michael M. Honda, Rep. Ed Perimutter from Colorado, New Jersey Rep. Robert E. Andrews and from Texas Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez.
According to political commentator Grady Hurgens, "The ball seems to be rolling in the direction of legalized online gambling in the US...the government's actions involving the poker payout seizures may have been the last straw for some lawmakers."
Hurgens was referring to the Department of Justice's move earlier this month to freeze the accounts of online poker players, rendering some $30 million worth of player's money in limbo. The move infuriated poker players and seems to have annoyed lawmakers also.
Frank's Bill now has a total of 34 co-sponsors, and the smart mail in Washington is that this time round, the Democrat lead Congress may very well let the law pass.
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