Industry News
The bill put forth by Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) exempts "skill games," including online poker, bridge, chess and mahjong from the online gambling prohibition that President Bush signed into law last fall.
"It allows Americans to play poker online as they should have every right to do," a Wexler spokesman, Josh Rogin said.
The online gambling ban passed last fall, in a move considered outlandish by the world's economic leaders, made it illegal for banks and credit card companies to make payments to online gambling sites.
Wexler's bill is set to debut on Friday at the House Financial Services Committee, which is already scheduled to hold a hearing on the subject at the behest of Rep. Barney Frank, the committee chairman, who is also an outspoken critic of the online gambling ban.
The primary topic of the hearing -- legislation that Rep. Frank already introduced that rolls back the online gambling ban. Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, is said to be supportive of Wexler's bill, and thinks it may pass before his bill does.
The CEOs of several online payment processors are scheduled to speak at the hearing on Friday, an aide said.
'Skill Games Exemption'
Rogin said "skill games" should be treated differently from games of pure chance. "You win and lose based on your ability," Rogin said. "It's a deserving distinction."
The ban annoys many in the European Union, which is home to some online gambling companies that were forced to withdraw from the United States. It has been closely monitored by investors in some British-based gaming companies, such as Partygaming Plc and 888 Holdings Plc.
© Copyright 2007 Online Casino Crawler This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
|
Join the excitement of playing at the number one online casino.
 |
