Online Gambling and the Mid-Term Elections

November 04, 2010 | News Category: Gaming Law

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The United States Mid-Term elections can certainly be a stressful time for some. Those in the online gambling world who have concerns about the direction of online gambling law in the United States were certainly waiting with baited breath for the results of the Mid-Term elections.

Recently, albeit somewhat slowly, there have been advances on a Federal level where it concerns online gambling legislation. The moves have been going in the direction of legalizing and regulating online gambling. Even though the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) has already been implemented, there is still the good possibility that Barney Frank's online gambling bill will be passed, and implemented.

When it comes to the Mid-Term elections, it is always possible that some of the legislators will not be continuing in their roles, and online gambling supporters would obviously be concerned as to whether the key players, who are working toward legalizing online gambling, would remain in their positions. Should any of the major key players be ousted, it would cause a serious hitch when it comes to working toward legalization and regulation of online gambling.

As luck would have it, call it online gambling luck if you would, it looks as if online gambling legislation may still be on track.

Two key figures, one of which is Congressman Barney Frank, have retained their seats. The other key player in the gambling world, if not specifically the online gambling world, is the Democratic Senator Harry Reid from Nevada.

Barney Frank, who has been in the House or Representatives for three decades has spent the year dealing with a number of important issues. He has cracked down on credit card, and also mortgage abuse, and after the financial crisis that shook much of the world, and particularly the United States, he set up an independent consumer protection bureau. In addition to this, he also helped to move his online gambling bill forwards, after the major crises had been dealt with. He beat the Republican Sean Bielat.

Democratic Senator Harry Reid may not feel exactly the same way about online gambling as Barney Frank does, however, he is particularly influential in the gambling world in the United States.

Some other very important points to note are that the Republicans have managed to regain control of the House of Representatives, and the Democrats have held onto the Senate.

It will remain to be seen exactly how the results of the US Mid-Term elections affect the process of legalizing and regulating online gambling.