May 5, 2009 (CAP Newswire) — International news agency Reuters is reporting that Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank has stated that he will introduce his much-anticipated new anti-UIGEA legislation into the U.S. Congress tomorrow, Wednesday, May 6, 2009.
The legislation will be an attempt to “roll back” the U.S. online gambling ban, as stipulated by the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006). The methodology will be to exempt operators by licensing and regulating the industry, a policy that is already underway in other parts of the world such as Europe.
This legislation "will enable Americans to bet online and put an end to an inappropriate interference with their personal freedom," Frank said in his statement, according to Reuters.
Opposition to the bill by anti-gambling politicians is expected, but that opposition is also expected to have lessened since Frank’s last attempt, last year.
Reuters cites the ban as having “damaged U.S.-European Union trade ties,” a significant statement that lends credence to many experts’ opinions that the UIGEA is not just bad domestic policy, but is hurting American foreign trade relations, as well. This perspective may seem obvious, but it was lacking during Frank’s previous attempt. The fact that a major media source such as Reuters validates this opinion suggests that the public has made significant strides towards the widespreads acceptance of online gambling.
Read the Reuters report here. More information on the bill will be posted as it is released. Stay tuned to CAP for the latest!