Frank Pushes for Delay in US Poker Law

October 7 - A letter written by Rep. Barney Frank to the US Treasury is yet another attempt to delay the implementation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act before the end of this year.

If Treasury goes ahead with its plans to implement the UIGEA as is required by law, online poker sites will face further restrictions on the payment methods they are able to offer to players in the United States.

Frank, who serves as the Chairman of the Financial Services Committee in the House, penned a letter to the Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke as well as the Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner to express his wishes and those of several colleagues who also signed.

"We are writing to strongly urge you ... to extend the date of compliance for the final regulations implementing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act by one year," wrote Frank in the letter.

The nineteen co-signers of the letter have already backed Barney Frank's efforts to protect online poker in the United States by becoming co-sponsors of his bill to introduce sweeping changes to the online poker and casino industries in the country.

Vocal supporters of Frank's bill to delay the UIGEA include the Poker Players Alliance.

Under the leadership of John Pappas, the executive chairman of PPA, the group is pushing to have the bill passed by the end of the year, before the UIGEA laws come into effect.

The PPA has been encouraged by a recent ruling by a South Carolina judge who said that poker is a game of skill and should not be considered gambling under the law.

"Poker is not a crime in South Carolina or anywhere else, and we are grateful to the court for compiling the overwhelming evidence that proves this case and protects the rights of players," said Pappas.