Who Is Barney Frank - And How is he Involved in Online Gambling

Published on: July 21, 2008 

Ever since the UIGEA law was passed banning online gambling in the United States, lawmakers and citizens groups alike have been trying to get the bill overturned.  The bill basically states that banks and other financial institutions cannot deposit into or accept funds from a website that is believed to be involved in online gambling activities.  The bill left it up to the individual states to regulate the activities of their citizens.  So far, the state of California has come the furthest in developing regulations that follow the UIGEA guidelines, and by the end of August 2008 it may become the first state to allow legalized and regulated online gambling to its citizens.

Legislators in California are not the only support online gamblers have in proving that they can partake in online gambling and be safe.  They have a stubborn Congressman from Newton, Massachusetts taking their side.  While many people will recognize the name Barney Frank, they may not really know who he is and why he is fighting to overturn the UIGEA, especially since the man doesn’t gamble at all.  He’s never been inside a casino, gambled online or even played a hand of poker with his buddies.  So why, exactly, does he care?

Mainly because Frank, who is the chairman of the House Financial Service Committee, doesn’t believe that the government has any right to tell the American citizens what personal decisions they are allowed to make.  He has stated to the media on many occasions since the UIGEA was passed, “If it affects me, mind your own business.  If it affects others, let the government get involved.”  Frank feels that the government overstepped their bounds into a person’s personal freedom by passing the UIGEA.

Since then, he has proposed legislation to the government that would reverse the ban on online gambling and legalize it so that American citizens can go back to playing.  It is interesting to note that online lotteries, fantasy sports, and horse racing betting were excluded from the ban yet they are all still forms of gambling.  Additionally, there is a 47 year old federal law on the books that prohibits citizens from placing online bets over the telephone.  The United State Department of Justice sees that law including online gambling because many people still use dial up service or have digital Internet service which still uses the phone lines to some extent.

Franks legislation to overturn the ban and to legalize online gambling has made him a hero to gamblers – and even some non-gamblers who see the bill as an infringement of rights.  The bill and his campaign is being backed by gamblers everywhere including a Bellagio Hotel pit boss, professional poker players Chris Moneymaker, Annie Duke, Howard Lederer, and Andy Bloch.

With both presidential nominees also enjoying a little bit of gambling on the side – Obama enjoys Texas Hold’Em and McCain roulette – Franks bill may find even more support from the next President.  Gamblers in the United States can only hope.

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