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Post-Election Online Poker Assessment
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November 7 - With Barack Obama's victory ticket safely in his back pocket, many Americans are wondering how this charismatic leader's views and actions will affect them in their day to day lives. While nobody is expecting that Obama will put the legalization of online poker and other gambling activities at the top of his 'to-do' list in the coming weeks, it is expected that at some stage, the issue will be addressed - at least by congressmen and women who got elected (or re-elected) this week.
Barney Frank is, by far, the name associated with trying to bring the greatest amount of change to the existing gambling laws in the United States. This Massachusetts Democrat has worked tirelessly over the past two years to push through bill after bill in the hope of bringing an end to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. In Tuesday's elections, Frank took down his Republican opponent, Earl Sholley, by an easy 68% to 25% victory, securing his re-election, and giving him more years ahead to finally get his HR 6870 passed by the senate.
Another successful pro-gambling Democrat in this week's election was Robert Wexler, best known for his attempts to introduce the Skills Protection Act (HR 2610) that would essentially exempt games of skill, including online poker, from the current UIGEA. Wexler, too, defeated his rival Edward Lynch in Florida in a 66% to 27% majority.
On the flip end, several online poker opponents were also victorious on Tuesday night, the most prominent being Virginian Republican Bob Goodlatte. This controversial congressman was hugely instrumental in bringing about the UIGEA in 2006, and beat his opponent in a stunning landslide victory in his home state.
But perhaps the most controversial online poker opponent of all, Spencer Bachus, famous for his made-up story about a so-called McGill University study showing that 'one third of all online gambling students ultimately attempted suicide' in order to further his arguments, also won another two years in office when he ran unopposed in Tuesday's elections.
The next two years will be interesting as online poker players learn which representatives will further their cause.
Related Poker Articles And News Items:
> RedKings Launches Mobile Poker Offering
> Titan Poker Offers Chance to Attend APT Manila
> Titan Poker Poker Player Wins Thousands at Irish Winter Festival
> Ultimate Bet Star to Host Online Poker Radio Show
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