Online poker bill to feature 15 month blackout?

[The Buzz]

The latest draft of Harry Reid's online poker bill contains some interesting provisions to say the least, according to multiple media reports. One of those provisions is there will be no legal online poker in the United States for 15 months if the bill is enacted.

From ESPN's Andrew Feldman:

"No qualified body may issue a license under this title before the date that is 15 months after the date of the enactment of this Act," said the draft of the bill. "Qualified bodies shall, to the extent practicable while meeting the requirements and standards of this title, issue multiple licenses on the date that is 15 months after the date of the enactment of this Act in order to ensure a robust and competitive market for consumers and to prevent the first licensees from gaining an unfair competitive advantage."

• Once the bill is enacted, current sites that offer play to players from the United States will have 30 days to cease those operations if they wish to receive a license.

"Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, cease offering, accepting and providing services with respect to bets or wagers from persons located in the United States"

The entire article offers a good summary of the bill in its current form and is well worth a read.

[LuckyLizzy]

If this bill is just for the state of New Jersey, how can it govern everyone in the US? Or is this a different bill from the one in New Jersey? It should be cease operations within New Jersey- not the whole US! This is a frustrating new addition to the bill.

[GamTrak]

Being that I've waited nearly 10 years for regulation I'm not mad at him for doing that. Atleast we will have a plan and a way to move forward in our business decisions.

BTW Harry Reid putting the Online Casino gambling bill in the New Tax Bill they finalized yesterday, like they did the Anti-gambling act (UIGEA), has some folks livid & complaining about it. LOL

This serves them right for what they did to us on the Port Security Act (throwing in UIGEA). I'm sure it will pass because they want those tax cuts for the wealthy meaning they will give away their first born to get it done.

I think Obama did the only thing he could do with the tax/unemployment benefits compromise as I don't think raising taxes on anyone in a recession is a smart more. Most folks that have a ton of money spend a ton of it but, just not on stuff that will generate the massive number of jobs that we need.

[thepokerkeep]

If this bill is just for the state of New Jersey, how can it govern everyone in the US? Or is this a different bill from the one in New Jersey? It should be cease operations within New Jersey- not the whole US! This is a frustrating new addition to the bill.

They're different bills Liz. A tad confusing that they're coming at the same time...

[LuckyLizzy]

They're different bills Liz. A tad confusing that they're coming at the same time...

Thanks for clearing that up for me

[wagerjunction]

They're different bills Liz. A tad confusing that they're coming at the same time...

I'm confused too... I know about Reid's bill, been following up on that. What's the other one?

[LuckyLizzy]

This is the other one. http://www.casinofan.com/news-feed/n...-of-new-jersey But it's only for New Jersey.

I got them confused only because I had already made up my mind that Harry Reid's bill would not have a chance. Now that I'm not so confused, I'm worried about the 15 month period. US players may run out of sites that accept them during that time period and there is no real guarantee that they will even gain a license after that.

What are the chances of this actually making it through?

[wagerjunction]

Thanks Liz

In the spirit of fair play (if I may say) the 15 months make sense in order for operators to have more or less equal chances and for players not to throw in with the first comer and get ripped. At least it makes sense to me...

Then again, we'll just have to wait and see.

[graham]

I don't get it... are they saying if companies are offering illegal gambling now they have to stop doing that for 15 months to get a license?

[andreea]

It seems that they're asking for a 15 month break for everyone in general. Perhaps they're allowing a head start for some of the land based casinos they're sure to generate tax from during the beginning stages and moving forward.

[vinism]

The 15 months are more to get the regulations in place and to give potential operators (as defined by the bill) a chance to get ready.

[JoeAdams]

This bill is some kinda disturbing. I think many poker affiliates will be not be glad about it for sure.