Utah Congressman Says Frank Bill Likely to Pass

November 01, 2009 | News Category: Gaming Law

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Although Barney Frank's online gambling bill has been put on the backburner for some time now, there are still those who feel that the online gambling bills will be passed by Congress this session. It seems, according to a Republican Representative from Utah, that Frank, himself, is included in those who feel that the online gambling bills will be passed before this session of Congress ends.

Since the debate of the online gambling bills has been put on hold because other urgent issues, such as the health bill and the current economic crisis, took precedence, there have been many concerns from the online gambling community that the bill will not be introduced this session.

Jason Chaffetz, the Republican Representative from Utah expressed the opinion that it is likely that Frank's bills to license online casinos might still advance and be hastily passed, without allowing the opposition to organize themselves.

The path that Chaffetz is describing is somewhat similar to that of the path that the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) was passed by Congress. The UIGEA was, however, hidden in the national security act, which urgently needed to be passed at the time. Barney Frank, however, has said that he will not try and have the online gambling bills passed by sneaking them through with some other urgent legislation. He said that when these bills are looked at, they will stand alone, and not be grouped with other unrelated issues.

On discussing a conversation had with Barney Frank, Jason Chaffetz said, "He assured me that come this fall, he would be getting these bills through his committee, and I believe him."

One of Chaffetz's concerns regarding the gambling bills is that he does not want Utah to be forced to allow tribal casinos under the terms of the act, should the bills pass into law. Utah is one of the two only US states that have no legal gambling at all. Frank's gambling bills, however, have already addressed this issue, leaving an option for states to opt out for their residents when they are within the state's borders.

Chaffetz is of the opinion that the time is ripe for the online gambling bill to be passed, mostly because the Democrats now control Congress, and also because they need extra funds to help fund health care. It has been estimated that online casinos could bring in more than $60 billion over ten years. He noted "There aren't a whole lot of places to go grab that kind of money."