Congressmen From Kentucky Support Postponing UIGEA

Gambling News - November 25th, 2009 - Written by Glen

The rapidly approaching deadline for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act has left many online gamblers concerned over their continued ability to play their favorite games, through legal online casinos, USA online poker rooms, and USA online sportsbooks. Thought the act of USA Online Gambling will remain legal, the deposit and withdrawal into online poker sites may become overwhelmingly difficult.

Thankfully we have support in the highest levels of government. Not only is Barney Frank's H.R. 2267 continuously gaining new advocates and sponsors, but another boost to the industry has come through congress. On Monday, all six congressmen from Kentucky have submit a letter to the secretary of the U.S. Treasury, Timothy Geithner, to push the December 1st deadline of the UIGEA back by one year.

Both Democrats and Republicans gathered around to submit the letter after MasterCard began to comply with the UIGEA. MasterCard had begun to cease processing transactions that operated under the same transaction code used by the horse racing industry.

With under a week to go, and very few actual business days, a ruling will need to be made by Wednesday.

It has been stated that the UIGEA has been used improperly, as horse racing was exempt from this law. The vaguary of the law has left many asking questions, and it has the entire industry up in arms. The Poker Players' Alliance, the largest grassroots organisation in the United States, has been working around the clock to help in the removal of the UIGEA, and the issue has finally hit the clutch moment - an answer to the most recent letter should be given by Wednesday.