“One of the stupidest things I ever saw.” That was what Congressman Barney Frank told European reporters of what he thought when the online gambling bill (UIGEA) passed last fall. Now he stated that within two weeks he will present his bill to repeal the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act but also stated that he will need much more time to garner more support for his bill and he would not be seeking an online poker exemption.
Talking again with European reporters, Congressman Frank said, “I think a reconsideration among my colleagues is beginning. It’s not far enough along yet so I wouldn’t move the bill but I plan to introduce the bill and if the storm of public unhappiness is great enough, I will try to substantially revise that ban.”
“I want to get it [UIGEA] undone. I plan to file legislation,” Barney added, however reiterating that even though he would lay out his plans in the next couple weeks, he would wait till other lawmakers came aboard for support before moving it along further.
He also explained that the House Financial Services Committee that Rep. Barney Frank chairs can only lift the ban on credit card use to pay for internet gambling.
“My committee only has jurisdiction over credit cards. I can’t do more than repeal the ban on the use of credit cards. We don’t have jurisdiction generally over the Internet or other aspects of this,” Frank said.
The UIGEA currently exempts the use of the internet to bet on horses, fantasy sports games and the lottery. Barney Frank said he has been “unpersuaded” to do the same for online poker.
“I am not going to draw a distinction between poker and blackjack,” Frank said.
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