Will Barney Frank's Internet Gambling bill pass the House this year?

[MichaelCorfman]

Earlier today Barney Frank's bill HR 2267 to "provide for the licensing of Internet gambling activities by the Secretary of the Treasury, to provide for consumer protections on the Internet, to enforce the tax code, and for other purposes" passed out of committee by a vote of 41 to 22.

You can see a copy of the original bill considered by the committee here: HR 2267. There were quite a few amendments that were acceped, so there are a number of changes from the original bill under consideration.

Vin monitored the committee mark-up session, and you can see all of his posts on the topic in the thread LIVE UPDATES - Possible markup session for the Barney Frank bill. His posts include information on the amendments that were considered and which ones were accepted.

The bill still needs to be considered on the House floor and accepted there. And after that happens approval is still required by the Senate before there is an actual bill that can be signed into law by the President.

Looking at the next couple steps of getting to the house floor and passing there, what are the chances you think the bill will pass the House this year?

Michael

[thepokerkeep]

The realist in me says probably not but the optimist in me says 50/50 so that's the way I voted.

[matted]

OK, the pessimist in me has come out... I voted unlikely.

If we were not 3 months from midterm elections I might have thought a bit more positively... and there is always the possibility of the lame duck congress passing the legislation much like happened with the safe port act (UIGEA). BUT - I think a lot of detail about the actual structure has yet to be worked out.

[gamblersgowild]

I voted Likely, my gut feelings are pretty much right on, well most of the time

GGW Laurie

[GamTrak]

Probably NOT. There is to much to do and to little time. We will have to do it all over once the new folks get in, but I'm 99% sure it will pass in 2011 so then I can get back to work FT in igaming!

It's a joy to see that all of the work Frank has put in over the past few years is finally paying off.

[dhayman]

It got out of committee, but I doubt it will get out of the House in an election year. Maybe in 2011. In any event, passing of such a law with taxation, will probably be helpful to the US economy, but hurtful to affiliates. I vote for things staying as they are, with the UIGEA police going away.

[Chips]

I doubt it will reach the full house this year. Many other items are deemed more important. I am a touch concerned with some of the verbiage in there too. Like, those that violated law previously will not be allowed to hold a license. While this bodes well for Party and the non US facing brands it makes me a bit uneasy for the brands we now have here. I can't see the gov't turning away Stars and Tilt, I am sure there will be a way they can "buy" their way in.

Another case of wait and see...

[Simmo!]

Ditto pokerkeep!

[Dominique]

I voted 50/50. There is an enormous lobbying effort this time, with Harrah's in the lead. I think the lobbies bring it up to a 50/50.

[Anthony]

I agree even money. A tough call to make.

We should try to get Paul the Octopus to make a prediction!

[Skinski]

I voted 50/50 as well. I just have this feeling that it'll never make the fullhouse this year. Fingers crossed that t though, and kudos to Frank for not giving up!

[Magic79]

Went and read Vin's thread before I voted...gues I am a little more optimistic than most.
I still think keeping the jobs requirement in there will help get more votes.