The proposal for federal legalisation of online poker, co-authored by Senators Harry Reid and Jon Kyl, will definitely not make it through the current session of Congress.
Sen. Reid admitted his initiative had run out of time in the 'lame duck' session of Congress, and confirmed he would make his third attempt at online poker legalisation next year.
Despite the fact that arch online gambling opponent Kyl was a co-author of the bill, and that the bill specifically makes illegal most other forms of online gambling, Reid was surprised by the lack of interest showed by Republicans.
The opposition of many state governors, tribal groups and lotteries was driven by their plans for revenue-raising internet gambling initiatives at state level following the DoJ's admission that the Wire Act covers only sports betting activities.
Having the strong support of the American Gaming Association and the major land casino companies as well as Nevada being well advanced with a state-based online poker regulatory regime, next year Reid may find 12 individual states one step ahead of him on intrastate legalisation already considering online activity in various forms.
On the other hand, Reid staffer David Krone criticised the gaming industry for not doing enough to defend the Reid-Kyl proposal as opposition mounted against it, but spokesmen from several major operators quickly denied that.
Frank Fahrenkopf, the AGA chief, who has been particularly energetic in promoting the Reid-Kyl bill recently, is still optimistic hoping that Senator Reid's bill would be launched again next year.
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