Poker Perambulation

Dear Ken:

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for Internet gambling.  I appreciate hearing from you.

As you may know, P.L. 109-347, the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act, contains a provision that prohibits gambling companies from accepting credit cards or bank transfers as payments for gambling transactions that involve the Internet.

In response to this law, Rep. Frank has introduced H.R. 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act.  This measure would establish a federal regulatory and enforcement framework for Internet gambling operators to obtain licenses authorizing them to accept bets and wagers from individuals in the United States .  H.R. 2267 would require Internet gambling operators to maintain effective protections against underage gambling, compulsive gambling, money laundering and fraud, and to enforce restrictions on types of gambling prohibited by states and Indian Tribes.  Additionally, the measure would provide the Department of the Treasury with the authority to revoke or terminate the license of any operator who fails to comply with these requirements, and would establish criminal penalties for such violations.

H.R. 2267 was referred to the House Committees on Financial Services, Energy and Commerce, and the Judiciary, where it is currently pending consideration.  The measure has 16 cosponsors and a companion measure has not been introduced in the Senate.

Thank you again for contacting me.  Be assured that I will continue to monitor all measures that would affect Internet gambling with your views in mind.  Do not hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.