“Full Committee Hearing: Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act (H.R. 2267)” – July 21, 2010

Representatives of the financial services, tribal and poker communities testified in support of regulating Internet gambling before the House Committee on Financial Services.  The hearing was held to discuss the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act (H.R. 2267). 

The legislation, introduced by Chairman Frank in May 2009, would establish a framework to permit licensed gambling operators to accept wagers from individuals in the U.S.  In addition to mandating an array of consumer protections, the legislation reinforces the rights of each state to determine whether or not to allow Internet gambling activity for people accessing the Internet within the state and to apply other restrictions on the activity as determined necessary. 

Since its introduction, a bi-partisan group of 69 co-sponsors has signed onto the legislation. A recent analysis by H2 Gambling capital predicts that Internet gambling regulation would create as many as 32,000 jobs over its first five years. Click here for more information.

“Full Committee Hearing: Tax Proposals Related to Legislation to Legalize Internet Gambling” – May 19, 2010

Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Jim McDermott (D-WA) testified before the House Committee on Ways and Means to address effectively regulating online gambling while protecting consumers, collecting tens of billions in new government revenue and creating tens of thousands of new U.S. jobs. 

While the primary focus of the hearing was legislation introduced by Rep. McDermott that would collect taxes on regulated gambling activity, Chairman Frank discussed his own Internet gambling bill that would establish a regulatory and enforcement framework for licensed gambling operators to accept bets and wagers from individuals in the U.S. while mandating substantial consumer protections.   Click here for more information. 

“Full Committee Hearing: Pending Internet Gambling Legislation” – December 3, 2009

Experts on Internet gambling, consumer protection and online security gave testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, with the majority praising the legalization and regulation of Internet gambling. Witnesses confronted the challenges in the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA), including its failure to adequately guard youth or protect problem gamblers and placing an unfair burden on U.S. financial services. Most witnesses agreed that through legalizing online gambling, the industry could be regulated and consumers protected. Click here for more information

“Proposed UIGEA Regulations: Burden without Benefit?” – April 2, 2008

Testimony before the House Committee on Financial Services (Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology) offered further evidence that the ban on Internet gambling won’t work. Witnesses unanimously agreed that U.S. financial services companies would face serious regulatory burdens in attempting to enforce the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA), a law that has not stopped millions of Americans from continuing to gamble online. Click here for more information

“Establishing Consistent Enforcement Policies in the Context of Online Wagers” – November 14, 2007

Expert witnesses testified before Congress calling for the U.S. to reverse its policy prohibiting Internet gambling. Witnesses before the House Committee on the Judiciary argued that the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) violates the American principles of personal freedom and individual liberty; that the ban violates U.S. treaty obligations with other countries; and that it exposes U.S. businesses to potential criminal retaliation overseas. Click here for more information

“Can Internet Gambling be Regulated to Protect Consumers and the Payment Systems?” – June 8, 2007

The House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing where top experts testified that regulated Internet gambling would protect consumers and ensure the integrity of Internet gambling financial transactions. Click here for more information