Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative runs ad campaign

[The Buzz]

The movement to overturn the UIGEA is placing ads on the Web sites of publications such as the Washington Post, The Hill and Politico.

Casino City has the press release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- The Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative launched a new online advertising campaign today in support of the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2267), legislation that would establish a framework to permit licensed gambling operators to accept wagers from individuals in the U.S. The ads advocate regulating Internet gambling to protect the millions of Americans who continue to gamble online despite government attempts to prohibit the activity and to collect up to $62.7 billion in new revenues for the federal government in the first decade.

"As Congress searches for ways to pay for health care reform and other worthy programs, it should end the unsuccessful prohibition of Internet gambling and start collecting taxes on the billions in revenue currently lost to unlicensed, offshore gambling operators," said Jeffrey Sandman, spokesperson for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative.

House Committee of Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) has announced his intent to hold a hearing and markup on the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act of 2009 this fall. Since introduction of the legislation by Chairman Frank in May, a bipartisan group of more than 50 co-sponsors have signed onto the bill. Supporters include many senior ranking representatives such as George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, John Conyers (D-MI), chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, Charles Rangel (D-NY), chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, Edolphus Towns (D-NY), chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Pete King (R-NY), ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee and Ron Paul (R-TX), vice-chairman of the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee.

The ads will appear on the Web sites of publications such as the Washington Post, The Hill and Politico, as well as on the Huffington Post, Political Wire and Talking Points Memo.

[Anthony]

Prohibition doesn't work!

Gotta love that... Welcome to the fight!

[Webzcas]

I heard about this. Although I would say regulating online gambling seems the least concern of the American Public at the moment. When Obama is facing stiff opposition to his proposed health care reforms.

But the more publicity the better. Added to the fact Frank's proposed bill is very unlikely to get heard in the current session of Congress, I believe we are looking at at least the second quarter of 2010 before moves are made to consign the UIGEA to history.

[thepokerkeep]

Posting the ads on YouTube would be a smart move...
I know I would place the ads on my sites - no charge. They could get a ton of free advertising from those of us who promote to American players.

[CAS Chloe]

I am not sure about the wisdom of tying the support of the Internet Gambling Regulation with the already heated debate on Health Care. While it is a fact that regulation of online casino can generate additional revenue for the government to fund the new health care law, it could also be muddled by the partisan politics that is already worsening.

[webber286]

Can't wait to see the ads and hopefully hear some debate on the news about this idea. Definitely a good idea that's time is well overdue.