Friday, June 14, 2013

Federal online poker legislation DOA?

While he may not have been the flag-bearer of integrity (see his alleged pay for sponsorship efforts), Nevada Sen. Harry Reid did seem to have a good grasp on which the way the online poker legislation wind was blowing.

Not at all now or in the future, in his estimation.

“I felt for several months now that I don’t see any movement on this,” he told the Las Vegas Sun. “I don’t see anything happening.”

Reid made those comments in light of a bill filed by New York Rep. Peter King in the U.S. House this week that tries to federally legalize most forms of online gambling.

Poker has a shot, but if you lump it in with the likes of blackjack and slots then you have some seriously lame-duck legislation.

“We’re still trying, but I’m not really confident we can get something done,” Reid said.

The move away from Congress and toward state-by-state regulation has seemed to be the way the legalization effort has been moving for some time now. Consider that the Poker Players Alliance has already pretty much given up on Capitol Hill and focused its efforts on state regulation.

On the bright side, the game has not only been legalized in three states, but is also already running in Nevada – including free play for non-Nevadans (thank you very much Golden Nugget.)

Those of us in the ultra-conservative states, ahem, can get out jollies with free play on stalwarts like Poker Stars (and its excellent bonus codes) and Full Tilt Poker.

Me, I still need to find a good underground game. There’s got to be one around here somewhere. Bueller?




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