Will the US Legalize Online Poker?

The Poker Players Alliance has said that the best chance of regulating and legalizing online poker on a federal level in the United States will be during the lame duck session that will occur in November, after the Congress elections.

The two politicians that have been working hard towards legalizing online poker are Senator Harry Reid, and Senator Jon Kyl. The executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, John Pappas said: “The real deal is going to happen in the Senate. It's been publicly acknowledged Jon Kyl and Harry Reid are working on a bill. That bill is done. It's now about timing."

He further noted that Senator Jon Kyl sees this as very important. One may wonder why Senator Kyl, who was one of the key players in the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, is supporting online poker. Pappas explained: “He's made a deal. Kyl recognizes in order to strengthen the law against other activities, he's willing to carve out a poker exception."

Representative Joe Barton (R-Texas) is one of the main sponsors in the House of Representatives who wants to legalize online poker, said: “If we don't get something done by regular order in July, what we'd have to do is get something done by Reid after the presidential election.”

Barton further explained that it is likely that the House would pass an online poker bill, but that in the Senate, nobody is interested in a vote unless they are sure that there are enough votes, and the bill first needs to be passed in the Senate and then in the House. He said: “Neither party is going to put this up if it's going to be a dogfight. It will only be put up if people are willing to vote for it."