There is Hope for Internet Gambling in the USA

Thousands of Americans have been discharged from the military due to this law and the senate finally voted to overturn the law, only a few weeks prior to the Conservatives taking control of the House.

The Don't Ask, Don't Tell law is one that the Democrats have trying hard to repeal for a number of years. Also on the radar for Liberals is the UIGEA. In the past few weeks, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada has proposed an online poker bill. Unfortunately, that legislation on its own wouldn’t have overturned the UIGEA.

Representative Barney Frank once came close to having the 2006 legislation reversed. He pushed a bill through the House Financial Services Committee but the legislation was unable to reach the House floor. With the Republicans taking hold of the house in January, Frank’s efforts in the near future are not likely to succeed.

As with Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Conservatives have turned away a large part of the US population with the UIGEA. The prohibition of online gambling affects millions of players on a daily basis. Like the gay community, their voices and opinions are not being considered by members of Congress.

It’s highly unlikely that online gambling will be on the agenda in the closing days of this session of Congress. Online poker players may take some solace in the abolition of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

The repeal does highlight that although the wait may be long, it is worth it. Many gays and lesbian celebrated the abolishment of Don’t Ask, Don’t tell with tears of joy. Online gamblers in the US may need to wait but their time will also come.