Barney Frank Considers Repeal of Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act

Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank labeled the Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act as "preposterous". He's on record saying it was among the "stupidest" pieces of legislation he has ever seen. Representative Frank is now thinking about a bill that would repeal the act President Bush signed into law last October 13.

The original act was a surprise last-minute addition to the Safe Port Act. Though a ban on internet gambling had no chance of passing on its own merits, men like departing Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist, and Arizona Senator, John Kyl, included the provision with the safe port legislation. Few wanted to go on record opposing a bill that would keep American ports out of the hands of Arab companies, so congressmen on both sides of the aisle bit the bullet and passed the legislation.

Frist got what he wanted, which was a moralist feather in his cap for his proposed bid to win the 2008 Republican nomination for president. Loss of the 2006 midterms showed how unpopular Senator Frist's policies were, and he is now a political afterthought. But his actions have affected the entire online gambling industry.

Some reputable online casinos have stopped taking U.S. players. This cost some of these outfits nearly two-thirds of their customers. American players now have to dare to gamble. NETeller and other online bankers are running in fear.

Barney Frank proposes changing all of that. News from his office that he was considering this legislation brought investors back into the industry.

My hope is he attaches it to the tail end of popular piece of legislation, something which has nothing to do with gambling. You know, like a flag burning amendment or something. Then we can hear Republican lawmakers complain about the unfair and unreasonable practice of attaching pet bills to unrelated legislation. I already hear them complaining about pork spending on bills. What short memories people have.

If you want to encourage Congressman Frank to propose this legislation, here's a link to his website.

Barney Frank Considers Repeal of Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act