The House Financial Services Hearing Live!

[vinism]

In the U.S. House, committee chairmen wield most of the power. All bills are assigned to a committee based on jurisdiction over a legislation. And a proposed piece of legislation can't even be considered by a committee unless the committee chair brings the bill up for markup. A committee chairman won't bring a bill up for markup unless he thinks there's a reasonable chance that the committee will approve it. So the next step is for Frank (and other committee chairs, depending on the legislation) to gauge initial support for the various i-gaming bills, and call up the bills for markup when the timing is correct. Then, the legislation will be marked up, hopefully approved, and then sent to House floor for a full vote. If it passes the House, the issue must then be taken up by the Senate. But the Senate is not required to take the issue up. If the Senate passes a similar measure, then it must go to a conference committee to reconcile the differences between the House and the Senate versions. Once a final agreement on a bill is reached, then it gets sent to the president, who can sign it into law or veto it.

In other words, today's hearings were a good first step in the process. But we have a long ways to go before any repeal is put into place.

[Dominique]

Thank you for this excellent reporting. Those of us who could not be there truly appreciate the effort.

[matted]

Wow, great job guys. I was wondering all day how the hearing went. I still think the only way we'll see anything is with a little help from the courts... The US is just too conservative, especially in the legislative process.

So, I think you guys already made the list of most active members for the month of June - but keep on going! Maybe CasinoCity will be the featured website next month <lol>

[bb1web]

Hi all,

well my biggest fear is the blocking of use of geo-location technology and in one case where they have the implications of Indian tribes having the choice of having their area of location blocking internet access to gambling sites.

Indian tribe casinos nearly blanket the US. this could be the worst case scenario IMHO if they are allowed to choose to "opt out" their region.

that leaves much less area which now can still reach casinos.

[mojo]

Thank you vin and McLane! I was stuck at the office and was sneak..err.. checking in here every few minutes.

Since these things move in slo motion, maybe the deadline for implementing the UIGEA will be pushed out.

Mojo

[GamblersHeaven]

Great job! Thanks for taking the time to post the high points of the hearing.