Optimism Grows For USA Online Poker Regulation

Momentum appears to be building behind a movement to regulate online poker and other gambling in the United States, raising hopes that a bill that would allow Americans to play online casino games may be passed by Congress before the end of the year.

In recent weeks, more and more influential figures in the USA government have come out in support for some kind of online gambling regulation, with allowing online poker being the most widely-supported initiative.

However, details on how such regulation would work are far from clear. While many sources are reporting optimism in regards to getting a bill passed during this session of Congress, there are few details on exactly what that bill would look like.

Among the recent converts to online poker regulation are Senator Jon Kyl (R-Arizona) and Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio), who join Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) as influential leadership figures who support at least some forms of online gambling.

In additional, many industry figures who were at one point opposed to the competition that would be introduced via online gambling have now become supporters of online poker – or have at least softened their resistance to the idea. For instance, the New York Post quoted Global Gaming Business publisher Roger Gross as saying that Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson is now willing to go along with federal legislation regulating online poker. In another sign that the industry anticipates such a move, several major American casino corporations, including Caesars Entertainment, have made arrangements with online poker software providers that could allow them to quickly develop sites for American players when the opportunity arises.

Many credit budget issues at both the federal and state levels as a critical motivator for the increased support. Online poker is seen as a way to increase revenue without taking the unpopular step of increasing taxes. However, some oppose such measures, believing that they will lead to a higher incidence of problem gambling.