Online Poker Hearings Held in US

November 28 - The issue of online poker is being heard more and more at a Congressional level in the United States, as calls to legalize and regulate the popular industry continue to grow.

Last week, two separate online poker hearings in the US took place to address the controversial issue, with a general  feeling that there is strong movement in favor of seeing proper US online poker legislation.

The hearing scheduled by the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs was called the Oversight Hearing on the Future of Internet Gaming: What's at Stake for the Tribes?"

The tribes discussed the impact that a legalized online poker and gambling industry would have on their own land casinos which they operate in special territories or reserves within the United States.

The Native American gaming industry is worth a whopping $26 billion to the US economy, and any changes to online gambling legislation could have a big knock on effect - both good and bad - to the industry.

The tribes discussed issues such as sovereignty over their own industry, employment opportunities and other issues. In short, the tribes want to be included in any new online poker legislation that is adopted in the United States.

The second hearing held last week was entitled Internet Gaming: Regulating in an Online World, which was presented by the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade.

Regulation of Online Poker on a State Level

The hearing looked at the way online poker could be regulated in the United States on a state level, as well as a federal level, and came against the backdrop of a bill proposed by Rep. Joe Barton which aims to legalize online poker in the US.

"Most people, including members of the subcommittee, seemed to be supportive of the concept of a poker-only bill," said Barton.

Barton's bill, HR 2366, currently has over 25 co-sponsors, and it continues to garner support among politicians from both sides of the spectrum as online poker in Congress continues to be a hot topic.

However, as with all debates raging over online gambling, opposition was also heard. Many people testified against legalised online gambling, stating its 'evil' qualities and addictive potential.

There were logical counters to these arguments by the opposition, with Barton stating that less than 2% of gamblers in the US are addicted to the internet pastime.

"Enacting legislation to license, regulate and tax online gambling as well as implement problem gambling programs, would bring this industry out of the shadows, benefit customers, create American jobs, capture revenue and allow adults to enjoy freedom from unnecessary government interference," said Rep. Barney Frank.