Update: More Opinions on Legalized Online Poker from Second Congressional Hearing

Nov 20, 2011
Update: More Opinions on Legalized Online Poker from Second Congressional Hearing
Mary Bono Mack shares her view After the second hearing on the legalization of online poker, held by the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the chair of the body, Mary Bono Mack, has shared her views on the interest shown in the topic. Namely, she stated that her House subcommittee is nowhere close to concluding an examination of the issues related to legalisation, adding: “More and more members are talking to me about the issue;” but she has apparently not yet made a decision whether to hold more hearings, which would have to be held in 2012, as Congress has a full schedule until the end of the year. In terms of the hearings organized by her subcommittee, Bono Mack said that even though they focused on internet poker, it is not clear whether legislation would eventually focus only on poker or on other forms of online gambling as well. She also revealed that her committee has received a written testimony from the Morongo band of tribal Indians, who are in partnership with Californian card rooms in punting for intrastate legalised poker in California, underlining that the tribes are important interested parties in any legalisation of online gambling, so they should be consulted in any relevant Congressional initiatives and given the same opportunities as other interested parties. Further on, the submission states: "so far, we have not seen any federal online gaming bill that puts tribes on equal footing with other potential online poker operators.” Yet, it was added: “With the right legislation, Internet poker can be a fantastic opportunity for Indian Country to continue along the road to self-reliance.” The hearing triggered a number of positive comments, one made by Rep. John Campbell, who stated that although he agreed that the 2012 elections could disrupt lawmaking activity in Congress, there was still some hope for the federal passage of a legalisation bill. “The regulation of gambling is important for four reasons: one, freedom of choice for Americans; two, tax revenue; three, consumer protection and four, job creation,” he opined.
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