HR 2267 Plagued by Delays

August 01, 2010 | News Category: Gaming Law

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The Barney Frank online gambling bill, HR 2267 has kept online gambling patrons waiting and waiting, and has now had another small delay.

The bill for Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act was introduced on May 6th 2009. The most recent action taken in connection with this bill is the hearing that took place on July 21st, 2010, where it was heard in the House Financial Services Committee.

Earlier this week, it was announced that HR 2267 was on a list of bills that were headed for markup. However, the date for the markup came and went because HR 2267 was listed as the third item of business at the meeting, and time simply ran out. The markup was meant to take place on Tuesday, July 27th, 2010, and it was postponed until today, Wednesday, July 28th. The time set to deal with this bill was set for noon on Wednesday, and it is the first item of business that will be dealt with when the group would reconvene at that time.

When a bill is considered for markup, the committee that is dealing with it makes and votes on changes to the bill, after which it will be sent to the full House of Representatives.

HR 2267 joins a number of other bills that have been waiting for markups. This is the first set of markups that is taking place in the House Financial Services Committee since May. Other bills that are being dealt with at this time are HR 5814 - The Public Housing Reinvestment and Tenant Protection Act of 2010; HR 4790 - The Shareholder Protection Act of 2010; HR 5823 - The United States Covered Bond Act of 2010; HR 4868 - The Housing Preservation and Tenant Protection Act of 2010; HR 3421 - The Medical Debt Relief Act of 2009; and HR 476 - The Veterans, Women, Families with Children, and Persons With Disabilities Housing Fairness Act of 2010 (Committee Print.)

Michael Waxman, a spokesman for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative, said: “Chairman Frank is clearly moving to get his bill advanced before Congress leaves town for their summer recess. Most importantly, the markup shows a commitment by chairman Frank to move forward and his colleagues to address this issue."

It is expected that the markup debate will most likely be about issues regarding underage gambling, and problem gambling, and how to exclude organized crime that is run through gambling. There is also likely to be discussion regarding how licensing will be handled.