Graham Hearing Could Touch On I-Poker Ban Bill

Next week on Capitol Hill, Sen. Lindsey Graham, sponsor of one of two bills in Congress seeking to ban online poker, will hold a hearing entitled “Cyber Crime: Modernizing our Legal Framework for the Information Age”, and it could feature some remarks on his S. 1668.

Graham’s legislation, which aims “to restore long-standing United States policy that the ¹⁹⁶¹ Wire Act prohibits all forms of Internet gambling,” was introduced on June 24.

While the hearing on July 8 isn’t centered on Internet gambling like a March hearing to discuss Rep. John Chaffetz’s (R-Utah) anti-online gaming bill, which appears to be a non-factor at this point due to inactivity, Graham could give some indication about his commitment to passing the prohibition, according to the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Michelle Minton.

“While it’s unlikely the Senators will spend much time discussing Internet gambling, we can be certain that Graham won’t miss an opportunity to demonstrate his commitment to Sheldon Adelson’s top issue,” Minton told Card Player. “We know that Graham and GOP leadership want RAWA to get a vote now rather than dealing with it during an election year when the connection to Adelson might hurt their candidates’ chances.”

Graham announced his candidacy for the White House in early June. Adelson is considered a mega-donor to the Republican party. Despite the GOP looking to appease its top campaign contributor, Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) is pushing for poker in the opposition direction. Barton re-introduced his legislation last week that seeks to legalize online poker across America.

Related Articles

Ohio Senator Introduces Online Gaming, Poker Bill

Poker Clubs May Return In Dallas After Appeals Court Ruling

Online Casino Legalization Considered In Ohio

Most Viewed Articles