Proposed Federal Online Poker Ban To Have Hearing Thursday On Capitol HillWitness List Yet To Be Announced |
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A bill seeking to ban online poker at the federal level will get a hearing on Thursday.
At 9:30 a.m., the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations will discuss Rep. Jason Chaffetz’s (R-Utah) H.R. 707. It’s been dubbed the “Restoration of America’s Wire Act.”
It aims to undo the progress made in December 2011 when the U.S. Department of Justice re-interpreted the 1961 law to allow for states to pursue online gaming within their own borders if they so choose. Three states have so far exercised their right to do so for online casino games, while many more have dabbled into online lottery sales. As it is currently written, the bill could kill both industries.
A witness list for the hearing hasn’t yet been announced.
According to the Poker Players Alliance, it’s unclear at this time if any pro-online poker interests will be represented at the House hearing.
In the past, it was widely acknowledged by the industry that the a federal online gaming ban was unlikely. However, it seems the bill is a legitimate concern these days. Momentum for the Sheldon Adelson-backed plan appears to be mounting.
It doesn’t help that U.S. online gaming has had a slow start in terms of revenues.
“We certainly take the threat seriously and so should poker players and the poker community at large,” the WSOP’s Seth Palansky told Card Player about the bill.
The last online gaming hearing on Capitol Hill was in late 2013, but that was an open and balanced debate on the topic. Thursday’s hearing appears to be slanted heavily in one direction.
A link to watch the hearing live should be available. Stay tuned to CardPlayer.com for more information on this crucial hearing for United States online poker.
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