November 30 - The poker industry reacted with pleasure to the news that the Department of Treasury has agreed to delay the implementation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) for at least six months.
The Treasury was petitioned by several pro-gambling groups ahead of the December 1st deadline and it seems that the pressure has worked for the time being.
The Poker Players Alliance joined forces with two racing organizations to petition the government and issued a press release following the announcement of the delay in the law's implementation.
"We are thankful to our co petitioners, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the American Greyhound Track Operators Association, and for the dozens of members of Congress who voiced their support for this petition through letters to Secretary Geithner and Chairman Bernanke," said the Chairman of the PPA, Alfonse D'Amato. "The PPA looks forward to working with regulators and legislators to pass legislation that protects consumers and the great game of poker."
Also commenting was the untiring force behind the many potential laws that have been created over the laws to finally regulate the online poker industry, Rep. Barney Frank.
"The Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors deserve a great deal of credit for suspending those midnight regulations promulgated by the Bush administration which would curtail the freedom of Americans to use the internet as they choose and which would pose unrealistic burdens on the entire financial community," said Frank in a statement. "This will give us a chance to act in an unhurried manner as on my legislation to undo this regulatory excess by the Bush administration and to undo this ill advised law."
Many believe that the latest developments are a clear indication that the Obama administration is moving towards a shift in policy, in a bid to rewrite US laws on online poker and casino gaming.
